MANKATO, Minn.   —   Minnesota State women’s basketball team (8-1, 4-1 NSIC) will return to action for the first time in 2013 as it faces its toughest opponent of the season as it travels to Sioux Falls, S.D., to do battle with No. 5 Augustana College (9-0, 4-0 NSIC) Friday evening at 6 p.m. then travels to Wayne, Neb. to face No. 19 Wayne State (7-2, 3-2 NSIC) Saturday, with tip-off slated for 4 p.m.

What’s Next?: The Mavericks are 23-39 all-time against Augustana College, who enters the contest with an overall mark of 9-0 overall, 5-0 in league play and is currently ranked No. 5. Minnesota State’s lone loss of the season came on the road as they traveled to Sioux Falls, S.D. where they fell to the University of Sioux Falls. The Mavericks will follow up their game against the Vikings with another road contest coming against Wayne State, who currently boasts a 7-2 record with a mark of 3-2 in conference play. MSU is 4-9 all-time against the Wildcats.

Looking Back:  Minnesota State University will return to action for the first time since Dec. 19 when they downed Dakota State University by a score of 85-42 to earn its eighth win of the 2012-13 campaign, the Mavericks were led by junior forward Ali Wilkinson who finished the contest with a game-high 27 points.  

A Little About Augustana College: Augustana is currently the No. 5 team in the nation with a record of 9-0. The Vikings are under the guidance of head coach Dave Krauth who is in his 24th year at the helm of the Vikings women’s basketball program. Augustana is led in scoring by Alex Feeney who is averaging 13.8 points per contest, she is one of three Vikings who is currently averaging double-digit points per game. The Vikings will return to the hardwood for the first time since Dec. 15, when they downed Upper Iowa by a score of 92-64.

Scouting Wayne State: The Wayne State women’s basketball team is coached by Chris Kielsmeier who is in fifth year as head coach for the Wildcats. WSC is currently 7-2 overall, 3-2 on the circuit and is currently the No. 19 team in the country. The Wild Cats are led by Jordan Spencer who is averaging 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, WSC downed Chadron State 85-47 on Dec. 31 in a non-conference match-up.

Away From Home: Minnesota State is 3-1 in games played away from the Taylor Center this season. As a unit, MSU is averaging 80 points per game on the road and 41.2 rebounds.
    Junior Ali Wilkinson is leading the Mavericks on the road, averaging a double-double with a 13.0 point and 10.5 rebounds per road game this season.
Team Highs on the Road
Points: 91, Black Hills State (11/16)
Tot. Rebs.: 47, S.D. Mines (11/17)
Off. Rebs.: 16, Black Hills State (11/16)
Def. Rebs.: 32, S.D. Mines (11/17)
FG %: 48%, Southwest Minnesota State (12/14)
3pt FG%: 46%, SW Minnesota State (12/14)
FT %: 81%, S.D. Mines (11/17)

League Honors: Junior 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 points 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 started the 2012-13 campaign with a mark of 7-0 before falling to the University of Sioux Falls, Dec. 15, the 7-0 start marked  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.

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