MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State goes for seven wins in a row Friday night at the Taylor Center against Northern State at 6 p.m., before hosting U-Mary Saturday at 4 p.m.
First Week of 2012: MSU (10-3, 6-3 NSIC) jumped out to a great start during the first week of 2012 winning all three games away from home. Minnesota State defeated MSU Moorhead on Jan. 2, 64-58, Minnesota Crookston on Jan. 3, 78-76 and Southwest Minnesota State on Jan. 7, 65-58. The Mavericks were led by
NSIC Player of the Week senior forward
Laura Weber who averaged 19.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game over the three-game span. Weber scored 17, 20 and 22 points in the three games while pulling down a season-high 13 rebounds against SMSU. Senior guard
Jennie Noreen was second on the team in scoring with 13.0 points per game while she added a team-best 9.7 rebounds per contest. Noreen pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds against MSU Moorhead while recording her second career double-double as she added 13 points. Freshman guard
Aubrey Davis rounded out the trio of Mavericks who averaged double-digits with 10.3 points per game. Davis averaged 5.0 assists per contest including a season-high eight against SMSU. In the game against Minnesota, Crookston, Davis recorded 15 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds while providing nine-straight points helping the Mavericks recapture the lead late in the game.
Upcoming Opponents: Friday, Minnesota State looks to extend its six-game win streak against Northern State. Sitting 9-6 overall and 5-5 in the NSIC, the Wolves are on a two-game losing streak with their last loss coming against MSU Moorhead, 72-62. The Mavericks own a 7-4 record in the all-time series between the schools including wins in three of the last four meetings. However, Northern State won the last meeting in 2011, 70-57. Saturday, the Mavericks face U-Mary which is 11-3 overall and 8-2 in NSIC action. The visiting Marauders are on a seven-game win streak and will face Southwest Minnesota State before the tilt against MSU. Minnesota State holds a 4-1 all-time record against U-Mary, however, the Marauders won the last meeting between the schools in 2011, 63-57.
Scouting the Wolves: The Wolves, coached by Curt Fredrickson, have two players averaging double-digits including Emily Becken and Alison Kusler. Becken is scoring 12.1 points while she leads the team with 3.6 assists per game which is fifth-best in the NSIC. Kusler is averaging 10.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while leading the team with 24 three pointers made (40.0 3FG%). Leading the Wolves on the glass is Mikayla Barondeau with 6.5 rebounds per contest while adding 7.3 points and a team-high 1.7 steals per game. As a team, Northern State averages 62.1 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting. Defensively, the Wolves are limiting opponents to 58.7 points per contest on 38.4 percent shooting.
Scouting the Marauders: The Marauders, coached by Fred Fridley, possess one player scoring in double-digits as Ali Collins leads the team with 11.4 points per game while also adding 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game which is sixth-best in the NSIC. Collins has the third-most steals in the conference (2.5 spg) while she has also recorded six blocks. Three other Marauders average more than eight points per game including Linda Murray (8.9 ppg), Kayla Schmidt (8.6 ppg) and Shaunna Knife (8.1 ppg). Murray also leads the team with 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Schmidt has connected on 33 three pointers this season while shooting 31.4 percent from long range. U-Mary is averaging 69.7 points per game which is second-best in the conference while shooting 38.0 percent from the field. The Marauders are allowing opponents to shoot just 33.9 percent while giving up 59.9 points per game.
Win #100!: Head coach Pam Gohl won her 100th career game Saturday, Jan. 7 as the Mavericks defeated Southwest Minnesota State, 65-58. The win marked her 70th with the Mavericks while she went 30-63 from 2003-06 with Briar Cliff University.
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