HELENA, Mont. – The 25th-ranked Carroll College women's basketball team takes on Spring Arbor (Mich.) Wednesday at 3 p.m. and Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Arizona Christian Holiday Classic in Phoenix.
 
The Saints won a pair of games last week against NCAA DIII team Pacific (Ore.) Willamette (Ore.) and look to extend that streak against two quality opponents in Arizona.
 
Carroll took a full week off between last week's games for Christmas and head coach Rachelle Sayers hopes the short break will help her team refocus on the season, the refocus started Tuesday with a practice at Arizona State.
 
"We are really excited to get back on the floor again," Sayers said. "Our players got a much needed break from basketball and school for time with family, and I think they are rejuvenated. They left on a high note, the second half of the Willamette game is the best half of basketball we have played all year and we look to build on it. Everyone is healthy and we had a great first practice back at ASU this afternoon."
 
The Saints enter the contest with a 9-3 record and are led by junior center Cassidy Hashley who is averaging 15.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Bailey Pasta averages 10.6 PPG and Hannah Dean is scoring 10.3 PPG.
 
The opponents on the slate for Carroll present a unique challenge. Spring Arbor is the best three-point percentage defense team in NAIA DII. The Cougars are 8-6 on the year. Kylie Townsley leads Spring Arbor with 15.57 points per game. Autumn Goggin scores 11.43 PPG.
 
Embry Riddle is 6-6 on the year. The Eagles are led by Danae Ruiz who averages 14.1 PPG, Jenna Knudson averages 10.0 PPG.
 
"Both teams will really challenge us and force us to be disciplined and fundamental," Sayers said. "They both play very up-tempo and press, we will need to control tempo and take care of the ball to have success in these two games."
 
All games will be broadcast on 94.9 FM ESPN Montana Radio and online at ESPNMontana.com. Live video and stats will be available for both games via the Arizona Christian Stretch Internet Portal.