Looking Ahead: The Minnesota State Mavericks will host the University of Mary Marauders Friday at 6 p.m. in Taylor Center. The Mavericks will then host Northern State Saturday at 6 p.m.

What’s in a Win: A win Friday would mark the 570th win in program history...A victory would also mark the 78th win at Taylor Center in program history....A win Friday would be the 39th win for the Mavericks under head coach Pam Gohl.

MSU-Mary Notables: Friday’s game against the University of Mary will be the fourth match-up between the two teams. MSU is undefeated against the Marauders in the three-game history.  The first match-up came in 1985 when MSU defeated UM, 71-66. It wasn’t until 2008 when the two teams met again, MSU won, 72-61 and then again in 2009, 69-61.

Marauder Minute:  The Marauders ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 15-12 and 10-10 in NSIC. Mary returns four starters losing only one. Top returners for them are senior guard Sonny Schulz, who averaged 12.9 ppg, senior center Liz Sipma, who averaged 9.5 ppg and junior forward Rachel Zillmer, who averaged 8.1 ppg.
    In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, Mary was ranked ninth, with 96 points, 80 points less than the Mavericks. The Marauders have started their 2009-10 season 1-5 overall, and 0-2 in NSIC, averaging 68 points per game. Zillmer leads the team averaging 13.0 ppg and Sipma with 11.2 ppg. The Marauders are coached by Fred Fridley (seventh season), assisted by Rick Neumann, and Sheridan Smith.

MSU-Northern State Notables: Saturday’s game against Northern State will be the 11th match-up between the two teams and the second this season. MSU defeated the Wolves in a non-conference game at the 2009 HoopsFest in Sioux Falls, S.D., Nov. 28, 64-60. Minnesota State has an overall winning record against Northern State, 7-3. The three losses against the Wolves came in 1998, 2000, and 2001. In those three losses the Mavericks never lost by more than seven points. In 2008, MSU defeated Northern State on the road, 75-64.

Wolve Ways:  The Wolves ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 12-15 and 8-12 in the NSIC.
     The Wolves return all five starters from last season. Leading the Wolves in scoring last season averaging 11.1 points per game is junior forward, Jodi Reinschmidt. Also returning is sophmore forward Mikayla Barondeau, averaging 10.4 points per game and totaling 55 assists last season.
     In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, Northern State was ranked 10th, with 73 points, 103 points less than the Mavericks. The Wolves have started their 2009-10 season 3-4 overall and 0-2 in NSIC. The two conference losses happened last weekend against Wayne State and Augustana. The Wolves are averaging 60.4 points per game. Sophomore guard Emily Becken is averaging 14.4 points per game. Northern State is coached by Curt Fredrickson (31st season) and associate head coach, Brent Pollari. 

All-Time: The 2009-10 season marks the 45th year of women’s basketball as a varsity sport at Minnesota State. MSU currently holds a 569-509 (.528) and has made three NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1986, 2008 and 2009.

For a complete version of these notes click HERE