Looking Ahead: The Minnesota State Mavericks will play host to the Golden Bears of Concordia University, Friday evening at 6 p.m.  The Mavericks will then host the Huskies of St. Cloud State Saturday at 6 p.m., both games held in the Taylor Center.

What’s in a Win: A win Friday would mark the 573nd win in program history...A victory would also mark the 80th win at the Taylor Center....A win Friday would be the 42nd win for the Mavericks under head coach Pam Gohl.

MSU-CU Notables: Friday’s game against Concordia University will be the 18th match-up between the two teams. The Maverick’s overall record against the Golden Bears is 8-9. The first time the two teams met was back in 1975, MSU defeated Concordia, 57-40.  Last season, MSU went 2-1 with the Golden Bears. The Mavericks defeated them on the road, 62-50, then at the Taylor Center, 88-53, before dropping only their second loss of the season at the NSIC Sanford Health Tournament, March 4th, 86-77 in overtime.

Golden Bear Basics:  The Golden Bears ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 22-12 and 11-9 in the NSIC. Concordia averaged 70.4 points per game last season and returns four starters.
     In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, Concordia was ranked  second with two first place votes and 154 points, 22 points less than the Mavericks. The Golden Bears have started their 2009-10 season 13-1 overall and 7-0 in the NSIC, averaging 82.4 points per game. Last weekend, the Golden Bears were victorious over Bemidji State, 85-62, and Minnesota Duluth, 84-68. Junior guard Jineen Williams  leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.0 points per game this season, followed by junior guard Maurika Hickman who is averaging 13.4 points per game. The Golden Bears are coached by Paul Fessler (10th season), assisted by Angie Woods, Drew Woods and graduate assistant Katie Laviolette.

MSU-SCSU Notables: Saturday’s game against St. Cloud State will be the 84th match-up between the two teams. The Mavericks overall record against the Huskies is 34-49. The first time the two teams met was in 1968 when the Mavericks defeated the Huskies, 46-24. In the 2008-09 season Minnesota State defeated the Huskies 67-60, on the road and then at the Taylor Center 76-65.

Huskie Happenings: The Huskies ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 22-9 and 12-8 in the NSIC. St. Cloud State averaged 74.4 points per game last season.
    In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, St. Cloud State was ranked eighth with 99 points. The Huskies have started their 2009-10 season 7-7 overall and 2-5 in the NSIC, averaging 71.9 ppg. Junior guard Talisha Barlow leads the team in scoring averaging 16.4 ppg followed by sophomore guard Becca Friestleben averaging 15.4 ppg. Last weekend the Huskies split, losing 70-73, against UMD and then defeating Bemidji State, 87-80. The Huskies are coached by Lori Fish (2nd season) and assistant coach, Carol Thelen and graduate assistant coach Alanna Wahl.

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 572-512 (.528) and has made three NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1986, 2008 and 2009.

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