Women's Basketball | 11/16/23 | 9:24 AM

HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll Women's Basketball team is back in Helena, and will host (RV) Stephens College (Mo.) in what will surely be the loudest game at the CC PE Center this season, with tip-off scheduled for 12 p.m.

The Fighting Saints (2-2) enter the afternoon as the nation's No. 5 ranked team, and will look to pick up a big early season win over the Stars (4-0) who are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll.

This will be the first meeting between the Saints and the Stars.

Stephens College is a private Women's college in Columbia, Mo. and their Basketball team got the year started with bang. The Stars toppled then-ranked No. 2 Central Methodist, 86-77, and haven't looked back.

The Stars are averaging 82.5 points per game, and are led by Savannah "Chu" Crockett, who is averaging 18.3 ppg entering the afternoon.

The Saints play a much different brand of basketball, and will look to control the tempo, and get into their half court sets. The Saints enter Thursday allowing just 60.4 points per game, and will look to shut down a high-scoring Stars lineup.

The Carroll front court duo of Jamie Pickens (Helena, Mont. / SR) and Maddie Geritz (Boise, Idaho / GR) have been dominant through four games. The pair are averaging 17.5 and 14.5 points per game, respectively, and have combined for 69 total rebounds.

It is highly unlikely that the Stars, or any team for that matter, will be prepared for the enthusiasm, energy, and most importantly, noise that nearly 2,800 local K-8 students will bring to the PE Center on Thursday as part of Carroll's annual field trip game.

Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m., and you can catch the action live on the Fighting Saints Network - presented by Point S Tire & Auto Service.

Live stats for the game can be followed along HERE.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com this evening for a full recap of the action, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.