Women's Basketball | 10/27/2026 6:06:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
The definitions differ slightly. Some may spell the praise, "dog," and others "dawg."
 
Put the details aside. Junior Ma'Riya Vincent is Wichita State's dawg (or dog) on the women's basketball team. Nobody defines her as anything other than ferocious.
 
"A dawg is someone who's hard-working, relentless," freshman guard Mari Milton said. "Hungry to win. Always hustling. Ma'Riya is a big role model for me."
 

Vincent, a 6-foot guard from Houston, is a versatile athlete who will fill many, perhaps all, roles for coach Terry Nooner. She can score inside and out and defend bigger and smaller opponents.
 
The Shockers play Newman University in an exhibition game at 6 p.m., Wednesday at Koch Arena. The regular season opens at Kansas State on Nov. 2.
 
Vincent thanks her mom, Richarda Outley, who earned NJCAA All-American honors at McLennan (Texas) Community College for all of it. Outley demanded she plays defense. Outley told her to develop her skills and not rely on height and physical gifts.
 
"I love defense," Vincent said. "I'm going to get after it. I'm going to make second-chance plays."
 
Vincent said she worked on her skills and versatility as a youngster. While she was taller than most of her teammates, she worked on ball-handling and passing to prepare for the time when her peers caught up to her in size, on the advice of her mom.
 
"My mom is a huge factor in my basketball career," Vincent said. "She told me, 'You have to have the training to play guard.'"
 
Her Shocker teammates say mom's advice worked.
 
"A dawg is someone who doesn't really care – they're willing to do anything for the team," junior guard Kendal Robinson said. "She's gritty. That's what a dawg is - someone that's not afraid to get their shoes in the dirt."
 
Nooner recruited Vincent out of Cypress Spring High School and thought she would come to Wichita State. She chose Missouri. They parted on good terms.
 
"We always make sure we handle things the right way," Nooner said.
 
Two years later, Vincent chose Wichita State out of the transfer portal. She sat out her freshman year at Missouri because of a knee injury. Last season, she played in 26 games and averaged 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds.
 
Last week, Vincent wanted to work out with Nooner outside of practice. He told her to take a break and let her body rest.
 
"The term 'Dawg,'" is how you would describe her," Nooner said. "Elite worker. Elite competitor."
 
Vincent took the time off. She didn't necessarily like the break. Her goal is to play professionally after Wichita State.
 
"There's never enough work," she said.
 
Vincent's attitude and versatility ensures she will get plenty of work this season for the Shockers.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
 
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.