HELENA, Mont.- The Carroll College women's basketball plays three games in three days at the annual Frontier Conference Las Vegas Shootout held at Durango High School Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Carroll brings in a 2-0 record into the weekend and is led by returning freshman of the year Cassidy Hashley who is averaging 10.5 points per game. She is tied for second on the team with 5.5 rebounds per game behind Baylee Watson who is averaging six rebounds a game.

Carroll has made an appearance in the NAIA in three of the last four seasons and if they hope to do it again this year, a strong showing this weekend will go a long way.

The No. 24 Saints face 14th-ranked The Master's Friday at 5:30 p.m., Menlo Saturday at 4 p.m., and No. 5 Westmont at 2 p.m. Sunday.

"We are very excited about this tournament, it has become one of the best in the country, head coach Rachlee Sayers said. "To have four out of six teams ranked in the top 25, it again will be very challenging and will have a ational tournament feel."

The Saints start off the tournament with The Master's Friday evening. The Mustangs open the season at 14th after finishing the 2014-15 season with a 24-9 record and a trip to the NAIA tournament. They already have an impressive win on the season.

"We will be tested right away against The Master's College on Friday," Sayers said. "They just beat DI Cal State Northridge, 81-57 in an exhibition game.  They are big and athletic and return their top scores from a year ago."
The Saints face Menlo Saturday, the Oaks have just made the transition to NAIA DI but also made an NAIA tournament experience a season ago.

"Menlo had a great year last year and was one of the best team in NAIA DII," Sayers said. "They are now are part of the same conference at Westmont and the Masters so we know that they will be a very solid team as well.  They are well coached and they really push the tempo, we will have to really try and control the game.  We have more size than they do but in order to use that to our advantage, controlling tempo will be key."

The toughest task for the Saints on the weekend is fifth-ranked Westmont. The Warriors are 3-0 on the season and battled their way to the NAIA Final Four a season ago.

"We close out the tournament with No. 5 Westmont.  This is a team that has won a National Championship and went to the Final Four last year," Sayers said. "They are really well coached and they have a very talented inside game.  It is going to be a fun match up with them and we are definitely looking forward to the challenges that this tournament presents."

The Saints look to build on an admirable showing in two exhibition losses at Montana and Gonzaga. Jumping into a weekend that includes games against returning NAIA Tournament teams presents a tough task.

"Three big games in three days is a challenge in itself," Sayers said.  "We will have to be very disciplined, this is a big challenge for our young team, but we really feel that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.  I know that our team will step on the court ready to battle."

Live Stats will be available for every game of the tournament. You can find links to game coverage on the Tournament Central page.