Looking Ahead: The Minnesota State Mavericks will hit the road for a three-game roadtrip. Starting off with a battle against Concordia University Friday at 6 p.m., then taking on St. Cloud State Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

What’s in a Win: A win Friday would mark the 577th win in program history...A victory would also mark the 46th win away from the Taylor Center....A win Friday would be the 46th win for the Mavericks under head coach Pam Gohl.

MSU-CU Notables: Friday’s contest will be the 19th match-up between the two teams and second this season. The Mavericks overall record with the Golden Bears is tied at 9-9. The first time the two teams met was in 1975, when MSU defeated Concordia, 57-40. The Golden Bears came to the Taylor Center earlier this season (Jan. 15) when the Mavericks defeated -then ranked- #20 Golden Bears, 79-76. The Maverick victory handed the Golden Bears their second loss of the season and first NSIC loss. Senior forward Liz Trauger led the Mavericks with 24 points in the victory as sophomore center Laura Weber earned her first double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Golden Bear Glimpse:  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 racked up an 18-4 overall record and 12-3 in the NSIC this season as they sit at the top of the NSIC. Concordia is also ranked #22 in this weeks USA Today ESPN Division II Poll.  Last weekend Concordia defeated Bemidji State (80-62) and Minnesota Duluth (83-72) on the road. Concordia is averaging 81.1 points per game this season. Leading the Golden Bears is junior guard Maurika Hickman who is averaging 14.0 points per game, followed by junior guard Jineen Williams with 12.5 points per game. Leading the board attack is senior center Gilian Bjerke with 6.4 rebounds per game.
 
MSU-SCSU Notables: Saturday’s game against St. Cloud State will be the 85th match-up between the two teams. The Mavericks hold an overall record of 34-50. The first time the two teams met was in 1968 when the Mavericks defeated the Huskies, 46-24. The Huskies battled the Mavericks in the Taylor Center earlier this season defeating MSU in a last second shot that gave the Huskies a one-point victory, 63-62. The Mavericks were outrebounded 41-37 in the loss.

Huskie Happenings: The Huskies ended their 2008-09 campaign with an overall record of 22-9 and 12-8 in the NSIC. Last season the Huskies averaged 74.4 points per game.
    In the 2009 NSIC Women’s Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll, St. Cloud State was ranked eighth with 99 points. This season the Huskies have tallied an overall record of 8-14 and 3-12 in the NSIC holding the 13th spot. Last weekend the Huskies lost two road games, first to Minnesota Duluth (79-51) and then Bemidji State (70-63). St. Cloud state is averaging 66.5 points per game as junior guard Talisha Barlow leads the team averaging 15.6 points per game and grabbing 4.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Becca Friestleben is second on the team in scoring averaging 13.8 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 576-516 (.527) and has made three NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1986, 2008 and 2009.

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