MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State returns to the hardwood next week when it faces three Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponents. The Mavericks take to the road to play MSU Moorhead Jan. 2, Minnesota Crookston Jan. 3 and Southwest Minnesota State Jan. 7.
.500 in the NSIC: Minnesota State (7-3, 3-3 NSIC) went 2-0 in its last week of action earning an 83-67 win over Upper Iowa Dec. 16 and a 66-55 victory against Winona State Dec. 17. Senior forward Laura Weber posted a career-high 23 points against the Peacocks as she went 11-of-15 from the floor while also contributing 11 rebounds en route to her seventh career double-double. Fellow senior Jennie Noreen filled the stat sheet against UIU finishing the night with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. The following night, Noreen poured in a game-high 19 points on 6-of-10 shooing while adding four assists, three rebounds and four steals. Freshman guard Aubrey Davis finished the game with a season-high 18 points while she helped the Mavericks ice the victory over Winona State going 8-of-11 from the free-throw line. The Mavericks were paced over the two-game span by Noreen who averaged 17.5 points per game while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. Weber averaged double-digits as well scoring 15.5 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game. Davis rounded out the trio of Mavericks in double figures with 12.0 points per game while she was tied for the team lead with seven steals.
Upcoming Opponents: Monday, Minnesota State looks to go a game above .500 in the NSIC when it faces MSU Moorhead. Sitting at 4-5 overall, 1-4 in the NSIC, the Dragons have lost three-consecutive games with their last loss coming against Augustana, 98-66. The Mavericks own a 21-13 record against the Dragons including wins in the last five meetings. MSU won the last meeting in 2011, 71-57. The following day, the Mavericks square off against Minnesota, Crookston which own a 6-3 record including a 3-2 mark in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles play Southwest Minnesota State before the tilt against the Mavericks and came up on the short end of a 66-37 contest against Wayne State in its last action. Minnesota State holds a 9-3 all-time record against Minnesota Crookston including wins in the last six meetings. In the game last year between the schools, MSU emerged with a 69-67 victory. MSU wraps up its action for the week Saturday when it closes out its three-game roadstand against Southwest Minnesota State at 4 p.m. Owners of a 3-7 record, including a 2-4 mark in the NSIC, the Mustangs are coming off a 75-59 win over Upper Iowa and will play Minnesota Crookston and MSU Moorhead before hosting the Mavericks. MSU holds a 21-14 all-time record against the Mustangs including wins in the last eight meetings. The Mavericks swept the series between the two schools last season with 69-46 and 57-47 wins over the Mustangs.
Scouting the Dragons: The Dragons, coached by Karla Nelson, are led this season by Angie Jetvig who’s averaging 17.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Jetvig is shooting 43.5 percent from the floor while connecting on 92.9 percent from the charity stripe. She has also recorded six steals, 17 assists and a team-high nine blocks. MSU Moorhead is averaging 65.0 points on 39.2 percent shooting while allowing opponents 67.0 points on 38.4 percent shooting.
Scouting the Golden Eagles: The Golden Eagles, coached by Mike Roysland, are led by two players averaging double-digits including Brittani Wiese and Megan Eul. Wiese is averaging 16.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while leading the team with 36 assists and 17 steals. Eul adds 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest as she shoots 40.0 percent from the floor. The Golden Eagles average 69.8 points on 38.8 percent shooting while allowing opponents 63.8 points on 38.1 percent shooting.
Scouting the Mustangs: The Mustangs, coached by Allison Kruger, are led by Abby Kenealy (16.9 ppg) and Bree Holleman (11.7 ppg). Kenealy is connecting on 55.0 percent of her shot attempts while leading the team with 4.9 rebounds per game. Holleman leads the Mustangs with 21 three pointers while shooting 42.9 percent from long range. SMSU is averaging 61.2 points on 43.4 percent shooting while allowing 68.4 points on 40.4 percent shooting.
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