DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Duhawks return to the Athletic & Wellness Center for the opening of conference play against Buena Vista. The Beavers enter as the lone IIAC team with a sub-.500 record. After winning the regular season and conference titles a season ago, Loras is primed and ready to defend their crown.

ABOUT BUENA VISTA ...
The Beavers open conference play with hopes of breaking their second  three-game losing streak of the season. Despite a high powered offense, Buena Vista has struggled to get momentum shifting stops on the defensive end as of late.

With the loss of All-Conference guard Susan Kies, the Beavers have found junior Lexi Fisher (13.2) and sophomore Sidney Beckman (10.8) to be viable options. In the post, senior Shelby Wiederhoeft has proven herself inside. Leading the Beavers on the glass (7.5 rebounds per game), Wiederhoeft is second on the team in scoring (11.4 points per game).

The Duhawks will have their work cut out for the on the defensive end, with the Beavers averaging nearly 80 points per game, as they look to push their winning streak to four against Buena Vista.

READY TO DEFEND TITLE …
Loras Women's Basketball Head Coach Justin Heinzen built his non-conference schedule with a purpose ... to challenge his team and prepare them for the Iowa Conference. Entering conference play with a 6-5 record, it appears that Heinzen's plan has worked up to this point. Among Loras' five losses, three have come against ranked opponents.

IOWA CONFERENCE AMONG STRONGEST IN THE NATION …
With the conference season kicking off on Wednesday, teams have combined for a 62-26 record in the non-conference portion of the schedule. Loras' opponent, Buena Vista, opens the conference season as the only team with a sub-.500 record (5-6). With the strong showing, the Iowa Conference ranks as one of the top five conferences in the nation.

BATTLING BACK: JONES MAKES DUHAWK DEBUT …
Freshman Megan Jones made her Loras debut on Wednesday, December 31 in the Duhawks battle with Wheaton College. Numerous injuries have left Jones on the sidelines the past few seasons, delaying her highly anticipated appearance. In four minutes of action, Jones hit a three-pointer late for her first career bucket.