What’s Up This Weekend: Minnesota State travels south to look for its second NSIC win against Upper Iowa on Friday night at 6 p.m. The Mavericks will then travel to Winona State to finish their four-game road trip Saturday at 5 p.m.

MSU/Upper Iowa: The Mavericks have a perfect record of 6-0 against the Peacocks. Last season, MSU plucked a 97-64 victory over UIU in Fayette, Iowa. Minnesota State has beaten Upper Iowa by at least 10 points in the six meetings. In this decade, MSU averages beating the Peacocks by 20 points.

Scouting the Peacocks: The Peacocks (0-7, 0-3 NSIC) are yet to play at home this season as they prepare to host MSU Friday. UIU is averaging 59 points per game and give up an average of 77.7 points per game this season. The Peacocks are shooting .399 from the field and .344 from beyond the arc. Opponents average 11.1 steals against UIU, while the Peacocks average 22 turnovers a game. Junior Heidi McKean leads the Peacocks as she averages 12.6 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Senior center Cassandra Deiters averages 11.6 points and four rebounds per game. Former Nebraska- Kearney coach Carol Russell is in her first year as head coach for UIU.

MSU/Winona State History:  In a series that dates back  to 1969, MSU owns a 28-12 edge in the all-time series with Winona State. Winona State beat the Minnesota State last season in a 59-60 thriller in the NSIC Hoopsfest. Winona State also claimed a 77-64 win in Winona last season. The Warrior claim six of the last ten meetings. MSU put together a 16-game winning streak over the span of nine years from 1979-1998. The greatest margin of victory was when Minnesota State won by 52 points in 1980, with the final being 106-54.

About Winona State: The Warriors (6-1, 2-1 NSIC) hold a perfect 3-0 record at home this season. Winona State recorded its first and only loss to Minnesota Duluth last weekend 56-63. The Warriors score an average of 79 points per game, while minimizing opponents to average 56.9 points per game. The Warriors shoot .481 from the floor and .407 from three-point range this year. Junior Michelle McDonald paves the way for Winona State as she averages 15.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Katie Wolff helps hold the shield for the Warriors as she averages 14.3 points per game and shoots .507 from the floor. Sixth year man Scott Ballard is head coach for the Warriors.

On the Road Again: The Mavericks have had two road losses this season, losing to UW-Eau Claire 54-66 and Concordia 79-64. MSU beat St. Cloud State last Saturday on a last minute buzzer beater by Andrea Walsh as the Mavericks won 54-51. Over the last seven seasons the Mavericks have compiled a 48-47 (.505) record away from the Taylor Center.


For complete notes for the week click HERE.