The Mount Mary University basketball team kicks off winter sports season in This Week in Blue Angel Athletics for November 8-14, 2021.

Hoopsters to Host IIT in Season Opener

After an 18-month hiatus, the Mount Mary basketball team will hit the hardwood once again, kicking off its 2021-22 season by hosting Illinois Tech Wednesday at the Bloechl Center.

It will be the first game for new MMU head coach Joshua Steffen, who became the fifth coach to lead the Mount Mary program. Steffen brings over 14 years of head coaching experience, most recently serving as the head coach at Stephens College, an NAIA-affiliated women's college in Columbia, Mo.

The Blue Angels are anticipating a fresh start entering this season, with a returning roster that averaged less than four minutes per game back in 2019-20. This year's new-look squad features a collection of newcomers—six to be precise—along with some key transfer players who will look to make an immediate impact.

IIT (0-1) debuted its 2021-22 campaign Saturday, falling at home to St. Catherine (Minn.), 79-37. Julia Bucci and Deriniece Moton led the Scarlet Hawks with 10 points apiece, with Bucci adding a team-high six rebounds.

MMU will also head to the North Central University Classic over the weekend, battling Waldorf (Iowa) Friday and the host Rams Saturday evening.

On the Calendar

Wednesday, November 10

6:00 p.m. – Basketball v. Illinois Tech (Bloechl Center)

Friday, November 12

6:00 p.m. – Basketball v. Waldorf (NCU Clark-Danielson Gym – Minneapolis, Minn.)

Saturday, November 13

5:00 p.m. – Basketball at North Central (Minn.) (NCU Clark-Danielson Gym – Minneapolis, Minn.)