What’s Up This Weekend: Minnesota State hits the road as it looks to extend its winning streak to four games. MSU will first head to Aberdeen, S.D., to play Northern State on Friday, then to Bismarck, N.D., to face University of Mary on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

About Northern State: The Wolves (9-5, 5-4 NSIC) come into to matchup on a two game winning streak and have won four of their last six games. Northern State averages 65.6 points and 37.7 rebounds per game this season. Last weekend the Wolves knocked off MSU Moorhead 60-46 and Minnesota, Crookston 82-74. NSU is shooting 45 percent from the field, which is second in the NSIC. The Wolves average 15.2 assists per game, 4.21 blocks per game and 4.5 steals a game. Senior forward Jodi Reinschmidt leads NSU’s offense averaging 14.9 points per game as fellow senior Krista Rabenberg averages 11.5 points per game with 2.35 blocks per game. Junior Mikayla Barondeau leads Northern State on the boards claiming an average of 8.6 rebounds per game. NSU is led by 31-year veteran coach Curt Fredrickson, who has stacked up 680 career wins.

NSU/MSU History: The Mavericks hold an 8-3 record over the Wolves, which includes two wins last season for MSU. Minnesota State has won four straight meetings between the two schools, dating back to 2005. The series started in 1982, as the MSU pulled off four victories in a row, with NSU retaliating with three straight wins.

About The Marauders: The University of Mary (8-6, 5-5 NSIC) beat Minnesota, Crookston 111-72 and lost to MSU Moorhead 62-71 last weekend, while entering the weekend averaging 77.4 points per game. The Marauders tend to spread the ball around as all five starters between 8.9-10.7 points per game. U-Mary is 4-1 this season at home, including three straight home wins. The Marauders have won four of their last six games and have shot 46 percent from the field this season. Sophomore Shaunna Knife leads the team in scoring with 10.7 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. U-Mary averages 14.9 assists per game as sophomore guard Ali Collins averages three per game. Senior Rachel Zillmer gives the experience as she averages ten points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. Eighth year man Fred Fridley leads way with a 146-74 career record as coach for the University of Mary.

U-Mary/MSU History: In a series that dates back to 1985, MSU owns a 5-0 record against University of Mary. The Mavericks beat the Marauders last season 68-64 at the Taylor Center and 72-69 in Bismarck, N.D. Minnesota State averages 70.4 points per game against the Marauders, as U-Mary averages 64.2 points against MSU.

All-Time: The 2010-11 season marks the 46th year of women’s basketball as a varsity sport at Minnesota State. MSU currently holds a 586-526(.526) and has made three NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1986, 2008 and 2009. In 2009, the Minnesota State won its first women’s basketball national championship.

Where We Call Home: The Minnesota State women’s basketball team has called the friendly confines of Bresnan Arena at Taylor Center home for 11 seasons now. MSU is off to a 6-2 this season at the Taylor Center. All-time, the Mavericks are 89-59 (.601) at Taylor Center, including a 16-2 mark in the 2008-09 season.

On the Road Again: The Mavericks are 2-3 this season on the road, losing to UW- Eau Claire 54-66, Condordia 64-79 and Winona State 61-69. MSU beat St.Cloud State on a last minute buzzer beater by Andrea Walsh as the Mavericks won 54-51. MSU also beat Upper Iowa in Lafayette 72-44.