MANKATO, Minn.   —  The Minnesota State women’s basketball team (12-4, 8-4 NSIC) returns to the Taylor Center after a grueling three game conference road trip. The Mavericks will square off against Wayne State (Friday, 6 p.m.) and Augustana (Saturday, 4 p.m.) in what will be the second match-up between the squads in the 2012-13 campaign. MSU handed Augustana its first loss of the season as they downed the Vikings 80-79 but fell to Wayne 78-56.

Looking Back: The Mavericks played three road games in a five-day span as they fell to Concordia-St. Paul 83-68, dropped one to St. Cloud State 69-65 but ended the roadie on a positive note as MSU downed Minnesota Duluth 77-71, earning its 12th win of the 2012-13 campaign, Wilkinson led the way on the road trip averaging 17.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest over the three-game stretch. With the Mavericks 8-4 record on the circuit, they currently sit tied for third in the NSIC and are one of four teams with an 8-4 record in the NSIC. Augustana sits atop the league with a 10-2 conference record, followed closely by Concordia-St. Paul who is 9-3 in the NSIC.

A Little on 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 11-5 overall, 7-5 on the circuit and in its previous match-up against the Mavericks on Jan. 5, earned the 78-56 win giving MSU its second loss of the season. The Wildcats were led by Ashton Yossi who recorded 23 points and four rebounds in the contest, Ali Wilkinson paced the Mavericks with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Scouting Augustana: 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. In their previous match-up, the Mavericks handed Augustana its first loss of the season, as MSU came away with the 80-79 win in Sioux Falls. The Vikings were led in the contest by Alex Feeney who scored 15 points and hauled-in 13 rebounds, but proved to be no match for Ali Wilkinson who recorded a career-high 35 points and tallied 11 rebounds while going 15-16 from the charity stripe, including a pair of game-winners with under five seconds remaining in the contest, earning the Mavericks the 80-79 win.

High-Powered Offense: The Minnesota State Univeristy women’s basketball team is currently ranked second in the NSIC in scoring offense, averaging 77.8 points per contest, the Mavericks are ranked ninth in the nation in the same category. Glenville State leads the nation in scoring, averaging 98.4 points per game.

It’s Good!: The Mavericks have been shooting the ball efficiently in the first half of the 2012-13 campaign, as they are currently ranked at the top of the NSIC in field goal percentage converting on 44.1% of their shots from the floor, MSU currently sits 19th in the nation in field goal percentage.

Leading the Way: Ali Wilkinson leads the Maverick offensive attack averaging 18.6 points per contest, which ranks her 20th in the nation in scoring, Wilkinson sits 13th in the nation in field goal percentage, making 57.2% of her shots from the floor, and also ranks 45th in the country in double-doubles this season with five.

Deuces!: Junior forward Ali Wilkinson has played 73 games for the Purple and Gold and has tallied 25 double-double performances, most amongst all active Mavericks. Wilkinson has recorded a double-double in 34% of the contests she has played in.

Balanced Attack: The Minnesota State women’s basketball team is currently second in the conference in scoring average, averaging just under 80 points per contest, and junior Ali Wilkinson is third in the league in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per contest, but there are no Mavericks in the top-30 in the conference in minutes played.

New Faces: Freshman Britney Scherber joins the Mavericks for the remainder of the 2012-13 campaign, in which she will redshirt, and will begin competition in the fall of 2013. Scherber comes by way of Jefferson High School where she currently holds the single game scoring record (45), single season three point record (64), career three point shot record (171), career assist record (293), and career scoring record (1,563).

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.

20-Something: Among active players, there have been 10, 20-point games. Junior forward Ali Wilkinson leads the way with eight.

20-Point Games by Active Mavericks
1/15/13 Ali Wilkinson vs. Concordia-St. Paul 23 points
1/12/13 Aubrey Davis vs. MSU Moorhead 23 points
1/4/13 Ali Wilkinson vs. Augustana 35 points
12/19/12 Ali Wilkinson vs. Dakota State 27 points
12/14/12 Karlee Gengenbacher vs. SW Minnesota State 22 points
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 7-0 at home this season, averaging 80 points while giving up 55.9. The Mavericks are shooting 47% from the floor and 36% from behind the arc at home and average 40 rebounds per contest, owning a +9 rebounding margin.
    Junior Ali Wilkinson leads the way for the Mavericks at home, averaging 19.7 points per game and 8.7 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)

For the complete release in PDF form, click HERE.