Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team will take on Northern State in a semifinal round game at the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament. The game will take place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Monday at 12:00 p.m.

Earlier this Week: The Mavericks are advancing on to the semifinal round after defeating Minnesota Crookston in the quarterfinals by the score of, 70-60.

The Mavericks used some strong second half play to defeat the Golden Eagles, as MSU was able to erase a five-point deficit at halftime, 34-29. The Mavericks would outscore the Golden Eagles by 15 in the second half and shot 54% from the field, while the Golden Eagles were held to just 27% from the field.

Scouting the Wolves: Northern State enters the contest with 24-6 overall record and finished first in the NSIC North division regular season standings with a 16-6 record. The Wolves are coached by Curt Fredrickson who has amassed a 771-284 record during his 36 seasons at the helm. The Mavericks own a 9-7 all-time record against the Wolves, although NSU has been victorious in the schools last three meetings, including last seasons semifinal game at the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament, with the Wolves coming out on top over the Mavericks 57-56.

Earlier this season, the Mavericks fell to the Wolves by the score of 85-80 in Aberdeen, S.D.  In the game, the Mavericks were down 12 at halftime, 43-31 and were unable to make a comeback in the second frame. MSU was able to shoot 46% from the field and convert on 13 three-pointers which is a season-high for the Purple and Gold this season, however the Wolves shot an outstanding 57% from the field in the game. One other important note from the game, the Mavericks 80 scored points in the game is the most Northern State has given up so far this season.

The Wolves are averaging 66.8 points a game this season, while they give up just 51.9 points a game, which tops the conference in scoring defense. NSU ranks third in the NSIC in field goal percentage with 44% from the field, while the Wolves rank first in the conference in field goal percentage defense with 33%.
NSU also ranks second in the NSIC in rebounding with 42.4 a game, first  in assist/turnover ratio with 1.30 and second in assists per game with 15.60.

The Wolves are led by 2014-15 NSIC First Team player in senior forward Rachel Krogman and 2014-15 Second Team player in  senior forward Megan Mutchler. Krogman leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds a game. She is only one of two players in the NSIC that is averaging a double-double. Krogman leads the team in field-goal percentage as well, shooting 51% from the field, which places her third in the NSIC. Mutchler, who was also named the 2014-15 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year, is a shutdown defender and is averaging 10.2 points and 5.2 rebounds a game this year. She is averaging nearly a steal and a block per game as well.

A few other key players for the Wolves are senior forward Sadie Stotesbery and junior guard Devon Brecke. Stotesbery  is second on the team in scoring with 10.9 points a game, along with 6.2 boards a game. Brecke puts up 7.9 points, 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds a game. In the game earlier this season between MSU and NSU, Brecke notched a career-high 30 points.

Season-High: In the win over Minnesota Crookston, senior forward Jamie Bresnahan posted a season 11 rebounds.
 
Honored Mavericks: Earlier this week, seniors Aubrey Davis and Lexie Ulfers were named to the NSIC All-Conference teams. Davis earned First Team All-NSIC, while Ulfers garnered Second Team All-NSIC and All-Defensive Team honors.

Regional Rankings: In the latest Regional Rankings (2/25/15), MSU dropped to No. 8. MSU is the lowest of the three NSIC schools in the rankings, as Wayne State sits in fourth and Northern State is currently in sixth. This past weeks wins over Minot State and Minnesota Crookston have no barring in the most recent rankings.

Potent Offense: The Mavericks rank third in the NSIC in scoring offense, averaging 74.3 points a game.

Team Rebounding: MSU sits in fifth in the NSIC entering the contest in total rebounds, as the Mavericks are averaging 39.9 boards a game. 

Three-Point Shooting: MSU places second in three-point percentage coming into the contest, shooting 36% from behind the arc. The Mavericks also sit in fourth in the conference in made threes per game with 7.4 a game. 

Dropping Dimes: The Mavericks currently rank fourth in the NSIC in assists per game, with 15.52 a game.

From Deep: Senior guard Ashley Olson qualifies for second coming into the game in the NSIC in three-point field percentage with 39% (59-151). Olson also ranks sixth in the conference in made three-point field goals per game 2.0, while senior guard Aubrey Davis ranks eighth with 1.9 a game.

Assisting the Way:  Senior guard Aubrey Davis finds herself currently second in the NSIC in assists per game with 4.7, after tallying six more assists in the quarterfinal win over Minnesota Crookston.

Block Party: senior forward Lexie Ulfers currently sits in fifth in the NSIC in block shots per game with 2.0.

Pick Pocketer: Senior guard Aubrey Davis finds herself in the top-ten in the NSIC in steals per game currently as she sits in eighth after tallying 1.8 a game.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2014-15 season will mark the 49th season in Minnesota State women's basketball program history, dating back to 1966. During that span MSU has totaled an all-time record of 679-563 (.546).

Walking the Sidelines: Head coach Emilee Thiesse is in her third season at MSU. In her three years here, she has amassed a 70-20 (.777) overall record, including a 2012-13 NCAA Tournament appearance in her first year. She is also 52-14 (.787) in NSIC games.

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