MANKATO, Minn. --- The No.22 Minnesota State women's basketball team looks to remain perfect at home as it hosts Augustana and No. 11 Wayne State, riding a program-best 23-game home winning streak.
This previous weekend the Mavericks fell to Northern State before rebounding with a win over MSU Moorhead, senior Ali Wilkinson (Blue Mounds, Wis.) recorded two double-doubles on the weekend, bringing her season total to six and her career total to 31. The six double-doubles during the 2013-14 campaign ranks her 27th in the nation. The 6-0 forward tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Mavericks loss to the Wolves and was one of four Mavericks to reach double figures against the Dragons, finishing the game with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
With the split, MSU is currently tied for third in the overall NSIC standing with Minot State, each boasting a 7-3 record on the circuit, which ranks the Mavericks second in the NSIC South Division rankings, trailing only Wayne State heading into this weekend's games. The Mavericks are currently riding a program-best 23 game winning streak, and can come within one game of the longest winning streak in Taylor Center history, which is 26 games and was set by the men's basketball team from 2006-07.
Scouting the Vikings: The Vikings are coached by David Krauth, who is in his 24th season as head coach and has a 503-220 record to his name. A season ago Augustana finished the season ranked fourth in the WBCA Top-25 Poll, after claiming the NCAA Division II Central Region title.
Augie is led by a pair of guards in Emily Schulte and Shaunteva Ashley, who are averaging 14.7 and 13.9 points per game, respectively, and are two of four athletes averaging double-figures for Augie. Collectively, the Vikings are shooting 41% from the field and 35% from behind the arc. Two of Augustana's losses came at the hands of the Wayne State Wildcats, the other two were to Concordia-St. Paul and Minot State.
The Mavericks fell to then-No. 10 Vikings 86-82 on Dec. 14, despite holding a 44-38 lead going into halftime. MSU connected on 48% of its shots from the field, 39% from behind the arc and 79% from the charity stripe, but allowed Augie to connect on 36-of-44 of its free throws. The Mavericks committed 27 turnovers, while the Vikings committed 23 team turnovers.
Senior Ali Wilkinson paced the Mavericks with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Aubrey Davis and Britney Scherber each added 13. There were five Vikings to reach double figures, led by Ashley and Schulte who netted 18 points and 17 points, respectively.
Scouting the Wildcats: No. 11 Wayne State is coached by Chris Kielsmeier, who is in his sixth season at the helm of the Wildcat Basketball Program, he currently boasts a 132-36 overall record. WSC is currently 16-1 on the season, with a mark of 9-1 in conference action.
The Wildcats are led by junior Jordan Spencer, who is averaging 17.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. WSC is connecting on 48% of its shots from the field and 37% of its shots from behind the arc through its first 16 contests of the 2013-14 campaign.
The Mavericks fell to then-rated No. 10 WSC on Dec. 13, by a score of 79-64. MSU was led by Wilkinson and junior Lexie Ulfers, who were the only two athletes to reach double-figures for the Mavericks, finishing with 19 points and 16 points, respectively. The Wildcats were led by Jordan Spencer who netted 17 points.
Nationally-Known: The Mavericks are currently 13th in the nation with a 1.21 assist to turnover ratio and 14th in the nation in assists per game, averaging 18.3 per contest. Individually, sophomore Aubrey Davis is seventh in the nation, sporting a 2.52 assist to turnover ratio. Ali Wilkinson's 19.0 points per game, is the second-best average in the NSIC and 38th-best average in the country.
100: Senior forward Ali Wilkinson has competed in 107 games for the Mavericks. During those 107 games, Wilkinson has started 76, and is shooting 51% from the field and averaging 13.0 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Your Language is Offensive: The Mavericks currently boast the leagues' top-scoring offensive attack, averaging 83.4 points per game, which ranks them 10th in the nation. MSU has had five 100-plus point games this season, tying the 2007-08 team for the most triple-digit games in a season in program history.
In the Polls: The Minnesota State University women's basketball team slipped five spots to No. 22 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Top-25 Poll released Jan. 14, the Mavericks finished the 2012-13 campaign ranked No. 17, which was a season-high.
The No. 12 ranking on Dec. 10 marked the highest WBCA ranking under second-year head coach Emilee Thiesse.
Week Pos. (1st Place Votes)
Preseason 23
Week 1 24
Week 2 17
Week 3 13
Week 4 T-12
Week 5 23
Week 6 17
Week 7
22
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