Hillary Paulson, a senior guard from Freeman, S.D., is competing in her fourth and final season as a member of the Minnesota State women's basketball program.

Paulson has upped her average in points and rebounds in her senior campaign. The South Dakota native is averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Most recently, the 6-foot senior posted season highs in points (9) and rebounds (6) in the Mavericks' 80-62 win over Minot State.

Head coach Emille Thiesse has given Paulson a larger role on the team this season. Paulson has increased her average minutes per game to 14.4. The increased playing time has paid off as the senior has improved on her field goal, three-point, and free throw percentages.

"Hillary has taken huge strides in her basketball development over the past two years," coach Thiesse said. "She has always been a great shooting threat from behind the arc, but now is much more of a dynamic threat attacking off the dribble and using her size to post-up."
 
Q & A with Hillary Paulson

1.What drew you to come to MSU?
They had a great basketball program and amazing facilities. I also wanted to go on to optometry school, and MSU has pre-optometry and a great science facilities.

2.Is the team prepared as the "stretch run" is about to begin?
I think we are at a great place we keep improving game to game and have been learning from mistakes and adjusting. We are ready for big game situations.
 
3.What does the team look to accomplish as the regular season comes to an end?
We would love to put a conference tournament championship banner up in Taylor Center and continue into regionals with a load of confidence. We're taking it one game at a time, hoping to end up in Pennsylvania.

4. Where is your favorite place to play on the road?
My favorite place on the road is Augustana. It has nice facilities and we always have a close game there. It is also close to my home town, and it's nice to be able to have family and friends attend the games and cheer for the Mavericks.

5. Is the basketball program any different now than when you were first recruited to come here? Since there has been a coaching change from now and then.
I think that there is a much bigger emphasis on strength training and working hard in the off season to be the team we need to be in season.

6.What has been your most memorable basketball moment here at MSU?
My freshman year when I made a game tying three-point shot with less than a minute to go.

7.How have you developed as a player during your career here at MSU?
I have grown into my game and realized there are many roles on a team and that it is important to work on all aspects of my game.

8. Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
In high school I always had to put my school ring on my (22) necklace and kiss it before every game.

9. If there is one thing you wish you could do before you're playing career is over, what would it be?
 Win a national title.

10. What are your favorite hobbies outside of basketball?
 Fishing, camping and going to movies.

11.Who have been your biggest role models in your life? Why?
My parents, because they have always worked hard and never take the easy way out. They encourage me to be the best I can be and always push me to strive for more.

12. When are you graduating and what are your plans afterwards?
I plan to graduate December of 2014 with a bachelor science in biomedical science and minor in chemistry and then go on to optometry school.