MANKATO, Minn.   —   Minnesota State women’s basketball team (6-0, 3-0 NSIC) will take to the road for its first conference road trip of the season as it faces Southwest Minnesota State (1-7, 0-3 NSIC) in Marshall, Minn., Friday and the University of Sioux Falls (4-3, 1-2 NSIC) Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D.

What’s Next?: The Mavericks are 23-14 against Southwest Minnesota State and this will mark the first time in program history that the Mavericks and the Cougars will square-off. The Mavericks are off to their best start since the 2008-09 season .

Looking Back:  Minnesota State University just wrapped up a four game homestand in which it went 4-0 and averaged over 83 points per game, this past weekend the Mavericks were led by junior Ali Wilkinson who finished the weekend with 55 points and 27 rebounds. The Mavericks improved to 3-0 in league play as they downed Winona State 76-68 Friday evening, then defeated Upper Iowa 81-57 Saturday.

A Little About Southwest Minnesota State University: SMSU is currently 1-7 on the season with a mark of 0-3 in league play, the Mustangs lone win came against Missouri Valley in the Northwest Missouri Classic Nov. 17, the Mustangs downed the Vikings 59-56. Last weekend SMSU fell to No. 7 Augustana 79-44, in a contest in which the Mustangs only shot 29% from the floor Friday evening, Saturday the Mustangs squared off against No. 15 Wayne State 66-61. SMSU was led in the game by Ellen Degler who finished the game with a career-high 21 points.

Scouting the Cougars:  The University of Sioux Falls and Minnesota State University will face each other for  the first time in program history. The Cougars enter the weekend with a record of 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC. The Cougars lone conference win came by way of a 77-66 win over SMSU Dec. 1. USF is led by Laura Johnson who is averaging 14.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game; Jaicee Ulmer is the only other Cougar averaging double-digit points netting an average of 10.7 points per contest.

League Honors: Ali Wilkinson was named the NSIC Player of the Week Dec. 10 for her efforts against Winona State and Upper Iowa helping the Mavericks to an overall record of 6-0 and a mark of 3-0 in league play. Wilkinson posted 55 and hauled in 27 rebounds while converting on 19-31 (61%) of her shots from the field and recorded seven assists, seven steals, two blocks and only committed one turnover in the two contests.

Starting Strong: The Purple and Gold are off to a 6-0 start during the 2012-13 campaign, the best starting mark since the 2008-09 season when the Mavericks started 17-0, MSU went on to win a national title during that campaign.

20-Something: Among active players, there have been six, 20-point games. Junior forward Ali Wilkinson leads the way with five, and has scored 20 or more points in the Mavericks previous three contests.

20-Point Games by Active Mavericks
12/8/12 Ali Wilkinson vs. Upper Iowa 24 points
12/7/12 Ali Wilkinson vs. Winona State 31 points
12/1/12 Ali Wilkinson vs. Concordia-St. Paul 22 points
2/11/12 Aubrey Davis at Concordia-St. Paul 22 points
1/29/11 Ali Wilkinson vs. Upper Iowa 20 points
1/15/11 Ali Wilkinson at University of Mary 20 points

Home Sweet Home: The Mavericks are 4-0 at home this season, averaging 83.75 points while giving up 61.75. The Mavericks are shooting 48% from the floor and 39% from behind the arc at home and average 38 rebounds per contest, owning a +8 rebounding margin.
    Junior guard Ali Wilkinson leads the way for the Mavericks at home, averaging 23 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per contest in the Taylor Center.

Team Highs at Home
Points: 93, Gustavus Adolphus (11/26)
Tot. Rebs.: 52, Upper Iowa (12/8)
Off. Rebs.:24, Upper Iowa (12/8)  
Def. Rebs.: 28, , Upper Iowa (12/8)
FG %: 60% Gustavus Adolphus (11/26)
3pt FG%: 65% Gustavus Adolphus (11/26)
FT %: 87% Winona State (12/7)

Away From Home: Minnesota State is 2-0 in games played away from the Taylor Center this season. As a unit, MSU is averaging 85 points per game on the road and 44.5 rebounds.
    Junior forward Ali Wilkinson is leading the Mavericks on the road, averaging a double-double with a 13.5 point and 11.5 rebounds per road game this season.

Team Highs on the Road
Points: 91, Black Hills State (11/16)
Rebounds: 47, S.D. Mines (11/17)
Off. Rebounds: 16, Black Hills State (11/16)
Def. Rebounds: 32, S.D. Mines (11/17)
FG %: 47%, Black Hills State (11/16)
3pt FG%: 39%, Black Hills State (11/16)
FT %: 81%, S.D. Mines (11/17)

I Love The ‘80s: Under Emilee Thiesse, MSU is 4-0 (1.000) when it has scored at least 80 points, when it has limited its opponents to 80 points or less, Minnesota State is 6-0 (1.000) in that same span.

For the complete release in PDF form, click HERE.