Looking Ahead: The Minnesota State Mavericks will start a four-game homestand this weekend as they open up Friday night hosting the Beavers of Bemidji State in the Taylor Center and then return to the Taylor Center Saturday evening to host the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, both games slated for 6 p.m.

Weekend Promotions:  There will be plenty going on this weekend at the Maverick basketball games.  Friday’s contest against Bemidji State will be sponsored by Subway and the first 500 fans will receive a Maverick Basketball shirt.  Saturday’s game Against Minnesota Duluth is the “McPack The Place” promotion with McDonalds.  The first 1,000 fans will receive a buy one, get one free Mac Snack wrap and McCafe coffee will be available while supplies last.  Ronald McDonald will also make an appearance.

What’s in a Win: A win Friday would mark the 574th win in program history...A victory would also mark the 81st win at the Taylor Center and ninth this season....A win Friday would be the 43rd win for the Mavericks under head coach Pam Gohl.

MSU-BSU Notables: Friday’s game against Bemidji State will be the 34th match-up between the two teams. Minnesota State has a winnning record over the Beavers of 21-12. The first time the two teams met was back in 1976, MSU lost to the Beavers, 48-41. In the 2007-08 season the Mavericks recorded it’s largest victory over the Beavers defeating them by 52 points, (106-54). Earlier this season (Dec. 19) the Mavericks traveled to Bemidji to take on the Beavers in non-conference action but received their second loss of the season, 80-72 on the road.

Beaver Basics:  The Beavers ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 3-24 and 1-19 in the NSIC. Bemidji State returns three starters from last season.
     Bemidji State was ranked 13th with 37 points in the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll. The Beavers currently hold a record of 10-8 overall and 4-7 in the NSIC, averaging 74.9 points per game and bringing down 39.9 rebounds per game.  Last weekend the Beavers had one game and was defeated by Minnesota Duluth, 69-56. Leading the Beavers this season is sophomore guard Sydney Epema with 11.7 ppg and freshman guard Katie Pettit with 10.9 ppg. Freshman center is dominating the boards averaging 6.7 rebounds per game. In the MSU-BSU match-up earlier this season, the Mavericks were outrebounded 51-39
 
MSU-UMD Notables: Saturday’s game against Minnesota Duluth will be the 48th match-up between the two teams. The Mavericks overall record against the Bulldogs is 22-25. The first time the two teams met was in 1972 when the Mavericks defeated by theBulldogs, 45-43. In the 2008-09 season Minnesota State battled the Bulldogs on the road and  were victorious, 90-57. The last time the Mavericks hosted the Bulldogs in the Taylor Center was on Feb. 7, 2008, as the Mavericks defeated the Bulldogs, 91-57.

Bulldog Business: The Bulldogs ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 16-12 and 13-7 in the NSIC. Minnesota Duluth return all five starters from last seasons squad, including senior forward Jheri Booker, who was last seasons NSIC defensive player of the year and UMD’s leading scorer.
    In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, UMD was ranked sixth with 131 points. The Bulldogs currently hold a record of 13-5 overall and 8-3 in the NSIC, averaging 66.8 points per game and grabbing 37.3 rebounds per game. Last weekend the Bulldogs traveled to Bemidji and defeated the Beavers, 69-56. Leading the Bulldogs this season is Jheri Booker, once again, who is averaging 21.1 points per game while grabbing a team-high 9.1 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Lindsay Miller is the second leading scorer with 12.5 points per game.

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 573-515 (.527) and has made three NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1986, 2008 and 2009.

To view a complete version of these notes click HERE