MANKATO, Minn.   —  The Minnesota State women’s basketball team (14-4, 10-4 NSIC) will take to the road as it travels to the Peace Garden State to do battle with the University of Mary (13-7, 8-6 NSIC), Friday evening, then travels to Minot, N.D. to face the Beavers of Minot State (9-9, 5-9) for the first time in program history. The Mavericks will cover over 1,100 miles in a 72 hour span.

Looking Back: The Mavericks returned to Taylor Center this past weekend as they were able to sweep on the weekend, defeating Wayne State 61-58 Friday evening, splitting the season series with the Wildcats, then Saturday Minnesota State was able to complete the season sweep over No. 8 Augustana College, as it came away with a 78-73 victory earning its 10th win on the circuit and placing them in a tie with Augustana for second place in the South Division of the NSIC with both teams posting identical records of 14-4 overall and 10-4 in NSIC play.

A Little on  Mary:  The University of Mary women’s basketball team enters the contest with a mark of 13-7 overall and 8-6 on the circuit. The Marauders are coached by Rick Neumann who is in his first season at the helm of the program. Mary is led by Ali Collins who is currently averaging 14.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. As a unit the Marauders are averaging 71.8 points per contest while giving up 62.9 and are connecting on 42% of their shots from the floor.

Scouting Minot: The Minot State Beavers are competing in their first season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and are in their third and final year of transition from an NAIA institution, where they previously competed in the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC), Minot State is currently 9-9 overall and 5-9 in the NSIC. The Beavers are coached by Sheila Green Gerding who is in her 18th year in control of the program and has posted 311-207 overall record. Minot State is led by Carly Boag who is averaging 16.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.

Tremendous Turnovers: Through 18 games this season the Mavericks have turned the ball over 294 times, compared to 398 by their opponents, owning a +104 margin in the turnover column. In Taylor Center the Mavericks own a +74 turnover margin and have committed 138 turnovers compared to 212 by their opponents. In nine games away from Taylor Center, MSU has turned the ball over 156 and has forced 186 by its opponents.

Earning it from the Stripe: The Mavericks finished the first half against Minnesota Duluth 1-of-5 (20%) from the charity stripe, since then MSU has converted on 64-of-75 (85%) of its shots from the free-throw line and this past Saturday the Mavericks connected on 31-of-33 (94%) of their free throws.

High-Powered Offense: The Minnesota State University women’s basketball team is currently ranked second in the NSIC in scoring offense, averaging 76.1 points per contest, the Mavericks are ranked 11th in the nation in the same category. Glenville State leads the nation in scoring, averaging 96.5 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 43.4% of their shots from the floor, MSU currently sits 24th in the nation in field goal percentage.

Leading the Way: Ali Wilkinson leads the Maverick offensive attack averaging 18.8 points per contest, which ranks her 19th in the nation in scoring, Wilkinson sits 10th in the nation in field goal percentage, making 56.2% of her shots from the floor, and also ranks 56th in the country in double-doubles this season with six.

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