MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team returns home for its final regular season homestand against Upper Iowa at 6:00 p.m., on Friday. The Mavericks conclude the weekend hosting Winona State on Saturday for senior day. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.
Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (8-16, 6-12 NSIC) enters the weekend on a two-game losing streak. Minnesota Duluth downed Minnesota State weekend, 68-55. The Mavericks then fell short at St. Cloud State in the final seconds, 68-67.
Senior Day: Minnesota State will recognize four seniors prior to Saturday's game against Winona State. The four seniors are:
Logan Anderson (Clear Lake, Iowa),
Claire Jordan (Green Bay, Wis.),
Mackenzie Dahl (Minnetonka, Minn.), and
Claire Ziegler (Mankato, Minn.).
Impact Mavericks: Senior
Claire Ziegler paces Minnesota State with a team-best 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Junior
Monica Muth has passed out a team-high 2.1 assists with 7.2 points per game. Senior
Claire Jordan is also netting 9.3 points per game.
Stat Pack: Minnesota State is ranked fourth in the NSIC in rebounding (39.6) and first in offensive rebounds (14.3). The Mavericks are also totaling 65.8 points per game and distributing 11.08 assists per contest.
On a Streak: Senior
Claire Ziegler has reached double figures in scoring in her last 11 games and 16 total times this season. She has also recorded a double-double in six of the last seven games.
Ziegler by the Numbers: Senior
Claire Ziegler ranks in the top-20 in four statistical categories in the NSIC this season. The forward is sixth in rebounds per game (7.9), 11th in steals per contest (1.4), 16th in points per game (12.6), and 17th in blocked shots per contest (.9).
Off the Bench: Sophomore
Taylor Klug (12.0 ppg) and freshman
Brooke Tonsfeldt (10.5 ppg) both averaged double figures in scoring last weekend coming off the bench. Tonsfeldt netted a season-high 14 points at St. Cloud State shooting 77.7% (7-9) from the field.
Pursuing 1,000: Senior
Claire Ziegler is looking to become the 22nd member of the MSU 1,000-Career Point Club. The Mankato, Minn., native has totaled 945 points in 90 career games. Lisa Walters (84-88) is the all-time leader with 2,072 career points
Scouting Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa (2-22, 0-18 NSIC) is located in Fayette, Iowa and enters the week on a 20-game losing skid. Most recently, the Peacocks dropped a 64-35 decision to No. 22 MSU Moorhead. Upper Iowa is led by second year head coach Micha Thompson.
As a unit, the Peacocks are posting 52.8 points per contest in comparison to their opponents 72.1. Upper Iowa is grabbing 34.2 rebounds and handing out 8.5 assists.
The last time these two teams met earlier this season, Minnesota State dismantled Upper Iowa, 75-62. The Mavericks have won the last 10 meetings and lead the all-time series, 21-0.
Scouting Winona State: Winona State (13-9, 9-9 NSIC) enters the weekend on a nine game losing streak. Most recently, Northern State edged the Warriors, 70-63. Winona State is led by head coach Scott Ballard who is in his 14th season.
As a team, the Warriors are totaling 66.5 points per game in comparison to their opponents 62.0. Winona State is snatching 34.8 rebounds and distributing 12.4 assists per contest.
Minnesota State fell short at Winona State, 80-52, earlier this season. In the last 10 games, the series between these two teams is locked, 5-5. However, the Warriors hold the edge in the all-time series, 35-18.
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State travels to Southwest Minnesota State on Feb. 16. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.
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