From foe to friend.
Graduate student guard Mariah Martin transferred to Colorado Mesa University (CMU) from one of their biggest rivals: Westminster College (WC).
Martin has stayed in her native state of Utah for most of her collegiate career as she transferred from Dixie State University to WC. With an extra year of eligibility, Martin felt like she wanted to get out of Utah and experience something new in a new environment.
“I love my time at Westminster. Like I loved my teammates, and my coaches, I learned a lot there. I think a big reason why I decided to go to Westminster was to be close to family and back home. With the opportunity of having this COVID graduate year, I wanted to get away from home for a little bit. For my grad year, and honestly just came down to like, Wagner has kind of recruited me, fresh out of high school, tried to get me in high school, and then I would have transferred,” Martin said.
So, then he reached out again, and he just has an amazing program, and a winning record and kind of runs a system and a system. You know, I felt like I would excel in and so I took the chance, like, why not? Let’s just go to Colorado Mesa, see if we can get a ring.”
Since transferring, she has been a major part of what the Mavericks do both offensively and defensively since transferring.
Martin is CMU’s second-leading scorer as she averages 16.3 points per game. Martin does more than just score, she facilitates the offense and leads the Mavericks in assists by a wide margin.
Martin has compiled 48 assists this year which is 27 more than the next Maverick. She is the primary ball-handler for the team, and she is only going to get more comfortable in that role.
“For me, the most important thing is winning. So, whatever that means, as far as the game goes, whether that’s me making the right pass, taking the shot I need to take or setting my teammate, teammate up. For me, having a great Assist is just as fun as scoring my own points,” Martin said.
Martin has only played nine official games for the Mavericks, and the chemistry that Martin has with her teammates is still progressing.
The chemistry between Martin and graduate student guard Daniella Turner has shown up on the court this season. They have worked off each other very well using the other’s skill set to their advantage.
“I wouldn’t have thought that Mariah and I would have formed a strong friendship so quickly, but we’re two very similar people so it’s no surprise that we get along great. We hang out all the time so the bond that we’ve formed off the court has helped on the court because of how supportive we are of each other and know what one another ae more than capable of doing on the court,” Turner said. “We just want to see each other succeed, not just on the court but off the court so that plays a huge role in our connection on the court.”
Her 5’6” frame is one of the smallest for CMU, but she plays bigger than her frame. She is the fifth-leading rebounder for CMU as she is average 4.9 rebounds per game, and that mark has her 0.2 rebounds per game behind the third-best rebounders for the Mavericks.
“I try to think quickly to the ball. I mean, I know that we have good posts in our conference or posts are tough to guard and box out. So, when I see the ball bounce around me, or if it’s in an area I could go on and get it. I should it’s more of a hustle play. I want to go get the ball and get out in transition offense,” Martin said.
Martin though isn’t afraid to battle amongst the trees, and she isn’t worried about absorbing contact to get to the free-throw line.
She has gone 35 of 37 from the free-throw line this year as she is shooting 94.6% this year.
In the past weekend, Martin scored 39 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out eight assists to help the Mavericks pick up two wins. Martin has hit her stride offensively and has helped lift the Mavericks offense to an 8-1 overall record and a 3-1 conference record.
Martin and the Mavericks continue their season Friday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. against Adams State University.
