Looking Ahead: The Minnesota State Mavericks will travel to Wayne, Neb. to take on Wayne State Friday at 6 p.m. then take a stop in Souix Falls, S.D. to battle Augustana Saturday at 5 p.m. The Mavericks return to the Taylor Center Jan. 29.

What’s in a Win: A win Friday would mark the 574th win in program history...A victory would also mark the 46th win away from the Taylor Center....A win Friday would be the 43rd win for the Mavericks under head coach Pam Gohl.

MSU-WSC Notables: Friday’s game against Wayne State will be the eighth match-up between the two teams. The Maverick’s overall record against the Wildcats is 4-3. The first time the two teams met was back in 1976, MSU was defeated, 94-35.  Last season, MSU hosted the Wildcats and defeated them, 86-68 in the Taylor Center. In the 2007-08 season the Mavericks defeated Wayne State, 64-62, in the NCAA Regional Game.

Wildcat Ways:  The Wildcats ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 15-13 and 12-8 in the NSIC. Wayne State averaged 67.4 points per game last season and returns four starters.
     In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, Wayne State was ranked  seventh with 111 points. The Wildcats have started their 2009-10 season 12-4 overall and 5-4 in the NSIC, averaging 76.1 points per game. Last weekend, the Wildcats were defeated by Winona State, 67-71 and then defeated Upper Iowa, 82-68. Sophomore forward Ashley Arlen leads the team in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game this season, followed by junior center Mara Hjelle who is averaging 13.9 points per game, and 7.8 rebounds per game. The Wildcats are coached by Chris Kielsmeier (second season) assisted by Kelly Kielsmeier and graduate assistant Keia Daniels.

MSU-AC Notables: Saturday’s game against Augustana will be the 57th match-up between the two teams. The Mavericks overall record against the Vikings is 22-34. The first time the two teams met was in 1982 when the Mavericks were defeated by the Vikings, 67-60. In the 2008-09 season Minnesota State went 2-1 against the Vikings. MSU lost their first game of the 32-2 season at home against the Vikings, 95-89 in overtime, then avenged the loss on the road defeating the Vikings, 82-50, and once more in the NCAA Central Region Tournament, 81-68.

Viking Views: The Vikings ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 20-10 and 13-7 in the NSIC. Wayne State averaged 73.0 points per game last season.
    In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, Augustana was ranked third with two, first place votes and 145 points. The Vikings have started their 2009-10 season 13-3 overall and 7-2 in the NSIC (2nd), averaging 79.6 ppg. The Vikings three losses came against, Concordia (95-68), Minnesota Duluth (81-63), and MSU Moorhead (80-75). Junior guard Megan Doyle leads the team in scoring averaging 14.1 ppg, grabbing 5.3 rebounds per game followed by sophomore guard Molley Hayes averaging 12.1 ppg. The Vikings are coached by Dave Krauth, assisted by; Mark Stavenger, Shawn Bergan and Amy Puthoff.

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 573-513 (.528) and has made three NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1986, 2008 and 2009.

What Lies Ahead:  After traveling this weekend the Mavericks will return home for a four-game homestand next week as it hosts Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth. Both games slated for 6 p.m.


For a complete version of these notes click HERE.