Women's Basketball | 02/24/24 | 9:55 AM

HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll Men's and Women's Basketball teams will host MSU-Northern in their 2023-24 season finale on Saturday at the PE Center. For one time only, the Men and Women will be reversed in order, with the Men tipping things off at 2 p.m. and the Women taking the night cap at 4 p.m.

After four months and 53 combined games, the end of the 2023-24 regular season is upon us, and both Carroll teams sit at or near the top of their respective conference tables. Both teams have secured a bye in the opening round of the Forntier Conference tournament next weekend, but both will be looking to finish the season with an exclamation point.

Saturday's games mean a bit more for five Carroll seniors who will suit up for their final (official) game in the storied Carroll PE Center. Jordan Bryant (Fairfield, Calif.), Gui Pedra (Sao Paolo, Brazil), Erica Nessan (Spokane, Wash.), Maddie Geritz (Boise, Idaho), and Jamie Pickens (Helena, Mont.) will all don their home whites and take the court one last time after years of memorable performances on the Hilltop.

The Carroll Men finished second in the Frontier Conference standings, a shock to many after being picked fifth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. While they can't alter their position now, the Fighting Saints are fighting for a spot in the NAIA National tournament. A win in the season finale greatly improves their chances for an at-large bid, should they not win the Frontier tournament and secure the league's auto-bid.

Sautrday's game will be a test for the Saints following a hard-fought overtime victory on the road at Rocky in Billings on Thursday. Carroll will need to focus on the task at hand, and take things one possession at a time against a pesky MSU-Northern team that is plenty capable of stealing the win.

The Carroll Women are the 2023-24 Frontier Conference Champions, but continue to push for a shot at grabbing a top-overall seed in the upcoming NAIA National Tournament.

The No. 8-ranked Fighting Saints will send off a trio of impact players who have won 97 games together, have three Frontier titles, and have played in the national tournament each year they have been here.

Saints fans have truly been spoiled as of late with some great players in recent classes, and this season has been no different. Jamie Pickens, who will surely be remembered as one of the greatest to ever don the purple and gold, is No. 2 all-time in program history for points, rebounds, and blocks.

Maddie Geritz would be the best post player on nearly every team in the country, but has settled into a deadly complimentary role to Pickens, who draws plenty of attention. Geritz is having a career year, averaging 12.9 points per game, a top-10 mark in the Frontier.

Also having a career year is Erica Nessan, who leads the Saints in three-point percentage, knocking down triples at a 42 percent clip. Nessan provides invaluable veteran presence, coming off of the bench and providing intense defense, a deep knowlege of the system, and the ability to knock down the big three.

As previously mentioned, the start times for the games are reversed for this weekend. The Men will tip-off at 2 p.m. followed by the Women at 4 p.m.

A live stream of the games can be found on the Fighting Saints Network - presented by Point S Tire & Auto Service.

Catch Voice of the Saints, Nick Dietzen, and Carroll Hall of Famer, Gary Turcott, call the action live on Rewind 94.9 FM or online HERE.

Live stats for the Men can be found HERE, and the Women HERE.