Kenosha, Wis. — With nothing but conference basketball left on the schedule, the Parkside Rangers are set to conclude a long road trip on Saturday before returning home on Monday. Saturday concludes a five-game road trip as Parkside faces the Purdue Northwest Pride in Hammond, Indiana. For the first time in 42 days, the Rangers will return to De Simone Arena, hosting the Roosevelt Lakers on Monday.
Parkside This Season
Parkside is off to its best start since the 2021-22 season with a 6-3 overall record. The Rangers are 1-1 in conference play, with a victory over Michigan Tech and a loss to Northern Michigan in early December. The team thrived on the road, going an impressive 6-1, capped by a 77-43 victory over Illinois-Springfield. They'll have another chance to improve their road record on Saturday and aim for their first home victory on Monday.
Reigning GLIAC Freshman of the Year and Preseason All-GLIAC selection Cassidy Arni leads the Rangers with 14.7 points per game. Arni ranks first in the GLIAC with a 53% field goal percentage and averages 6.2 rebounds per game, second on the team. Three additional Rangers are contributing double figures: Peighton Nelson (12.8), Sheridan Flauger (12.1), and Chloe Van Zeeland (10.1).
Flauger has already improved her scoring from last season and leads the GLIAC with 4.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Van Zeeland anchors Parkside's defensive front, averaging over a block per game for a defense that leads the conference in blocking.
FULL GAME NOTES
Scouting Purdue Northwest
Purdue Northwest has faced early challenges in the 2024-25 campaign, winning just three of their ten contests. Before taking on the Rangers on Saturday, they will open 2025 with a road game against Roosevelt on Thursday. In conference play, the Pride are 0-2 after losses at Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech and enter the weekend on a five-game losing streak. On a brighter note, they have won all three of their games at home and will look to add another against Parkside.
First-year head coach Jesse Ford leads the Pride after three seasons at Indiana Northwest. Transfers Akyia Baker and Alyssa Cole have been key offensive contributors, with both averaging double figures. Cole also leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game.
Scouting Roosevelt
In their first season at the Division-II level, the Roosevelt Lakers hold a 2-6 overall record. They began conference play 0-2, dropping home contests to Lake Superior State and No. 23 Ferris State. The Lakers earned their first win at this level with a one-point victory at Quincy, led by 21 points from Jayla Turchin. Twelve days later, Turchin delivered another standout performance with 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a win over Upper Iowa.
Turchin has been the Lakers' offensive leader, while Luke Malinka (12.3 points per game) and Marie Outlay (11.0 points per game) have also provided key contributions.
History
The Rangers boast a perfect 15-0 record against Purdue Northwest dating back to 1989, including an 8-0 mark in Hammond. They will look to continue their dominance over the Pride. Monday's matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between Parkside and Roosevelt.
