What’s Up This Weekend: The Mavericks will continue action Saturday against Southwest Minnesota State at 2 p.m. at the Taylor Center.

SMSU/ MSU History: The Mavericks record a 20-14 mark against the Mustangs all-time. Last Season the Mavericks managed sweep the series with a 74-62 win at the Taylor Center and a 70-54 victory at Southwest Minnesota State. Minnesota State has won eight of the last ten meetings between the two schools. The Mavericks currently hold a seven game winning streak in the series, which is the longest between the two schools.

About the Mustangs: The Mustangs (3-9, 2-4 NSIC) average 59.1 points per game and shoot 37 percent on the season. SMSU is coming off a 68-59 victory over MSU Moorhead last Tuesday. The Mustangs are led by junior Abby Kenealy, who averages 11.8 points per game. Senior guard Tori Fink provides veteran leadership as she averages 11.7  points per game and 13.4 points per game in NSIC matchups. Laura Kramer leads in team in boards as she averages 7.3 per game. SMSU upset Augustana 63-56 earlier with season. Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Allison Kruger who is in her first season at the helm for the Mustangs.

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 585-526(.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 4-2 this season at the Taylor Center. All-time the Mavericks are 88-59 (.598) at Taylor Center, including a 16-2 mark in the 2008-09 season. MSU has shot 42 percent from the floor this season at home and shoot 30.2 percent from downtown.

22 or Bust:  The Mavericks are 7-1 this season when making 22 field goals in a game.

Double Trouble: Ali Wilkinson earned her fifth and sixth double-doubles of the season against MSU Moorhead and UMC earning averaging 12 rebounds and 11 points between the two games. The sophomore owns three back-to-back double-double nights, as she looks for her to earn her seventh of the season Saturday. Junior Center Laura Weber owns two double-doubles this season against Augustana and Concordia.

Uno, Dos, Tres: In the past three games, senior guard Andrea Walsh averages 13.3 points per game with 5.33 assists per game, Weber averages 12 points per game, as Wilkinson has pulled down an average of 10.6 boards in that span.


MSU women's basketball preview: