KENOSHA, Wis. — Parkside women's basketball enters a pivotal split week with momentum, closing a three-game road trip Thursday, Feb. 5, at Roosevelt in Chicago before returning home Saturday, Feb. 7, to host No. 21 Ferris State inside De Simone Arena. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT at the Goodman Center against the Lakers, then 1 p.m. CT in Kenosha against the Bulldogs.

Parkside (11-9, 6-6 GLIAC) sits sixth in the conference standings, just behind Michigan Tech in the tiebreaker picture, and the Rangers come in playing their best basketball of the season. Parkside is riding a three-game winning streak and is coming off a perfect 2-0 trip to Michigan last weekend, defeating Saginaw Valley State 75-61 on Thursday and Lake Superior State 62-52 on Saturday.

During the three-game surge, Parkside's identity has been clear: defensive efficiency, rebounding presence and controlled shot quality. The Rangers have held opponents to 57.0 points per game in the stretch while limiting clean looks, and they have doubled opponents in rim protection (12 blocks to six) while creating extra chances on the glass with 37 offensive rebounds across the three wins. Parkside also has shared the ball at a high level during the streak, averaging 14.0 assists per game and nearly doubling opponents (7.7 per game).

On the season, Parkside owns the GLIAC's fifth-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense, pairing a plus-5.9 scoring margin (70.2 points per game, 64.3 allowed) with one of the league's most consistent defensive profiles. The Rangers are holding opponents to 38.4 percent shooting overall while shooting 42.2 percent as a team, and Parkside continues to separate itself with activity stats: 15.3 assists per game, 8.4 steals per game and 4.5 blocks per game as a team. The Rangers have also controlled the glass (37.9 rebounds per game) while out-rebounding opponents by 2.1 per contest.

Individually, Parkside features multiple steady producers and a clear tempo-setter. Katie Hamill leads the Rangers at 14.6 points per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 92.3 percent at the line, and she has added 42 steals in 20 games. Cassidy Arni is right behind at 14.0 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting, and she has been a consistent two-way contributor with 5.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game and 15 total blocks. Lillie Petersen has been the Rangers' interior anchor, averaging 10.8 points and a team-best 7.8 rebounds per game while grabbing 119 defensive boards in 20 games. Peighton Nelson continues to be the engine, leading the team with 97 assists (4.85 per game), and Parkside's rim protection has been reinforced by a balanced group that includes Lexi Bugajski (18 blocks), Arni (15) and Alli Hampel (12).

Thursday, Feb. 5
Parkside at Roosevelt
5 p.m. CT | Goodman Center | Chicago, Ill.

Saturday, Feb. 7
No. 21 Ferris State at Parkside
1 p.m. CT | De Simone Arena | Kenosha, Wis.

SCOUTING ROOSEVELT:
Parkside's trip to Chicago comes with a clear memory attached. The last meeting between the programs was a New Year's Day heartbreaker in Kenosha, when Roosevelt erased an 11-point halftime deficit and won 69-68 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Marie Outlay. Thursday will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the programs, and Parkside won the only prior matchup in Chicago last season, 72-62 (Feb. 6, 2025).

Roosevelt enters the week 5-14 overall and 4-8 in GLIAC play. The Lakers are coming off a 1-1 weekend, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 75-68 road win at Lake Superior State before falling 59-50 at Saginaw Valley State.

Statistically, Roosevelt has had to grind for offense, averaging 58.4 points per game while being outscored by 8.9 per contest. The Lakers are shooting 33.2 percent as a team and have faced a tough shot-quality profile defensively, with opponents shooting 43.9 percent. Where Roosevelt can swing games is with pressure and second-effort play: the Lakers average 9.8 steals per game and force nearly 18 turnovers per contest, and they also get to the line often (13.4 free throws made per game).

Individually, Roosevelt's production is led by a trio of double-figure scorers. Kelly Boyle averages 12.1 points per game and has hit 41 3-pointers, while Outlay is at 11.9 points per game with a team-high 81 steals in 19 games. Isabella Pitta has been one of the league's top rebounders, averaging 11.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while pulling down 156 total boards. Parkside will also have to account for the Lakers' perimeter shooting volume, with multiple players capable of stretching the floor, including Isabel Lindo (21 made 3s) and Boyle (41).

SCOUTING NO. 21 FERRIS STATE:
Parkside's Saturday matchup is a top-25 test and a chance at a statement in De Simone Arena. Ferris State defeated the Rangers earlier this season in Big Rapids, 96-90 (Jan. 5), in a game that featured high-level shot-making on both sides and saw Parkside push the Bulldogs deep into the second half. Ferris State has been one of the GLIAC's most consistent teams all season and comes to Kenosha playing with confidence.

Ferris State enters the week 17-4 overall and 10-2 in GLIAC play, good for sole possession of second place in the conference standings. The Bulldogs are on a four-game winning streak and are coming off one of their most dominant performances of the season, a 100-52 home win over Purdue Northwest on Monday.

Statistically, Ferris State's profile is built around offensive efficiency and volume scoring. The Bulldogs average 79.2 points per game and outscore opponents by 13.1 per contest, pairing a 42.8 percent field goal mark with 9.3 made 3-pointers per game. Ferris State also has been elite at the free-throw line, shooting 81.7 percent as a team, and the Bulldogs' ball movement is a defining trait, averaging 19.0 assists per game. Defensively, Ferris State complements its scoring with activity, averaging 12.5 steals per game and consistently turning defense into offense, while also holding opponents to 40.0 percent shooting.

Individually, Ferris State features multiple high-impact scorers and playmakers. Kadyn Blanchard leads the Bulldogs at 16.1 points per game and has added 4.19 assists per game with 46 steals. Mia Riley is close behind at 15.4 points per game while shooting 85.8 percent at the line (115-for-134). Mya Hiram provides frontcourt consistency with 11.7 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game. Emma Schierbeek has been a major perimeter weapon, averaging 10.8 points per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3 (45 made 3s) and 93.3 percent at the line. Ferris State's balance is reinforced by a deep rotation that can score at multiple spots and generate turnovers in waves.

LOOKING AHEAD:
After the split week, Parkside returns to the road for another Michigan trip, traveling to Davenport on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 4:30 p.m. CT before heading to Allendale on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. CT to face the No. 1 team in the country in Grand Valley State.

To keep up with the Rangers throughout the season, visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.