ABOUT AUGUSTANA ...
The Vikings come into Monday night's matchup after splitting a pair of games at the Rhodes College Tournament in Memphis, Tennessee. Augustana fell 59-51 on day one but responded with a convincing 72-49 win over Centre. Marissa Pezzopane and Andrea McNally pace the Vikings. Pezzopane leads Augustana in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game, and places second on the team in rebounding (6.1 rebounds per game). McNally leads the team in rebounds, grabbing 7.6 a game, and is second to only Pezzopane in scoring, adding 10.1 points per game.
 
The last time these two team's faced off, the Duhawks came out victorious 74-41.

ABOUT WHEATON ...
No. 9 Wheaton enters this year's New Year's Eve matchup boasting a 9-1 record after pre-holiday wins over University of Dubuque (83-74) and Illinois Tech (69-37).

Ellie Zeller and Katie McDaniels lead the Thunder's scoring as the top two scorers, and only players averaging double figures. Zeller boasts a 46.8 field goal percentage while scoring 13.6 points per game. Zeller also paces the Thunder on the boards, averaging a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game.

After a late start to the season, reigning d3hoops.com Rookie of the Year McDaniels (11.4 points per game) has made notable contributions to the Thunder on the offensive end.

FILLING BY COMMITTEE …
One of the biggest question marks coming into the season dealt with filling the shoes of standout forward Katie Langmeier. While it has not been a single player pouring in 20 points a night, each individual's improvements has helped fill the void. Senior Victoria May (13.9 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game) leads the Duhawks while junior Kaitlin Phillips (13.3 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game) and senior Carly Goede (10.8 points per game) help maintain a balanced offensive attack. Sophomores Lori Obendorf and Terese McMahon may have undergone the largest transformation. As a freshman Obendorf averaged 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game sparring Langmeier and May when needed. Her productivity has nearly quadrupled in each category as she averages a double-double (11.1 points per game, 12.9 rebounds per game). McMahon has seen similar success in increased playing time adding 5.1 points per game and grabbing 4.8 rebounds per game.

OBENDORF EARNS A PAIR OF INDIVIDUAL HONORS …
Obendorf became the second Duhawk to be named the conference's women's basketball player of the week this season, earning it for her play from December 1-7. The sophomore standout helped Loras to a 1-1 record for the week, highlighted by a 13 point win over Elmhurst. At center, Obendorf grabbed 22 rebounds and recorded 22 points to pace the Duhawks over the week. She also added six blocks, two steals, and an assist while shooting a perfect 100 percent from the charity stripe. Her double-double in the Duhawks loss to No. 5 Washington University – St. Louis also earned her a nomination for Bennett Rankings "Gem of the Week."

GOEDE SETTLING INTO HER NEW HOME …
Since transferring to Loras from University of Illinois – Springfield, senior guard Carly Goede has continued to adjust to a new school, scheme, and teammates. While her transition has been rather seamless, Goede has settled into her place after nine games donning the purple and gold. Starting in all nine games for the Duhawks this season, Goede ranks third on the team in scoring (11.9 ppg), first in three-pointers made (12), third in assists (17), and first in minutes per game (31.7). Her season has been highlighted by a buzzer-beating three-pointer that lifted the Duhawks to a 67-64 over No. 20 St. Ambrose on November 30.

BENCH CONTRIBUTIONS KEY TO DUHAWKS SUCCESS …
Paced by freshman Miranda Chapman and sophomore Terese Schultz, the play of the Duhawks bench has been a vital piece to the team's success. Loras holds a 3-0 record when their bench outscores their opponents. While Chapman provides depth at the guard position, Schultz rounds out the three-headed monster in the post alongside sophomore Lori Obendorf and senior Victoria May.

PHILLIPS ELEVATES PLAY WITH DRIVE AND DISH …
The play of junior Kaitlin Phillips has always been noteworthy, earning her first team All-Conference honors a season ago. Phillips came into the season with an improved jump shot and an even more explosive step than a year ago. Her improvements have paid dividends for the Duhawks in the first third of the season but her biggest contribution as of late has been her ability to draw the defenses' attention and kick to the open player. Her 30 assists and 3.75 assists per game average rank third in the Iowa Conference. While helping her teammates to nearly four buckets a game, Phillips also ranks in the top ten in scoring (6th) scoring 13.3 points per game.

LORAS PICKED TO FINISH SECOND IN IOWA CONFERENCE COACHES' POLL ...
The Duhawks were voted second, receiving two first place votes. Finishing just ahead of Loras (48) was Simpson College with 54 points. While Coe College rounded out the top three with 42 points, receiving one first place vote. Loras' roster is filled with talent, some of which is unproven with the loss of three key seniors. Simpson earns the first place slot for the second straight year after finishing 14-12 last season. 

DUHAWKS LOSE LORAS' TOP SENIOR CLASS ... 
Over the course of her career Katie Langmeier etched her name in Loras history as one of the best in program history. Fueling the Duhawks to their best season in over a decade, Langmeier was named to the D3Hoops All-West Region Second team after being named Iowa Conference Most Valuable Player and Co-Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to Langmeier, the Duhawks lose Lauren Byrne and Katie Wheeler. Byrne's leadership combined with her contributions on the floor (6.0 pts, 3.8 rebounds). In Wheeler, Loras loses leadership and grit. Together the three make up the winningest class in Loras Women's Basketball history, with 66 wins over their four-year careers.

ALL-CONFERENCE TRIO PRIMED FOR SEASON ...
Senior Victoria May returns for her senior season after posting career-highs across the board as a junior. As the team's most efficient shooter, boasting a team-best .539 field goal percentage.Junior Kaitlin Phillips was second to only Langmeier in points per game last season (12.2) while she led the Duhawks in free throws (72), three-pointers (34). Sophomore Kat Cabrera looks to build upon last year's breakout season. As a freshman Cabrera averaged 6.8 points and 3.0 rebounds. She led the team with 72 assists while also shooting a team-best 84.7% from the free throw line.

HEINZEN BEGINS EIGHTH SEASON WITH THE DUHAWKS ...
Justin Heinzen will embark on his eighth season as the head coach of the Duhawks after leading his team to a 19-9 record, the best under his tenure, in 2013-14. The stellar season by his squad earned Heinzen Iowa Conference Coach of the Year honors and moved him into the lead for wins in the program's history. He enters the season with a 112-76 record.

NEW ADDITION TO THE COACHING STAFF ...
On June 2, Jamie Majerowicz was tabbed Heinzen's top assistant. A standout student-athlete and later coach at Winona State, Majerowicz comes to Loras with four years of coaching experience on top of a strong playing career. Her main focus will be working with the Duhawks posts to find a new solution down low after losing Langmeier to graduation. For Majerowicz, she's excited for the opportunity to work alongside Heinzen, who's proven to be effective in the Iowa Conference.