MANKATO, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team opens up regular season play hosting Missouri Western State on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. The Mavericks will then welcome Missouri Southern State on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. 

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State wrapped up exhibition play with a 92-71 win over Hamline. Karina Schroeder led the Mavericks with a team-high in both points (17) and rebounds (8). 

Mavericks in Season Openers: Since the 2012-13 season, Minnesota State is 2-2 in season openers. Last season, the Mavericks dropped a 70-58 decision to Missouri Southern State in Joplin, Mo. 

Impact Mavericks: Senior Britney Scherber leads the Mavericks with team-high 14.0 points per game and netted a team-best 38% from three. Junior Claire Ziegler also posted a team-leading 14.0 points per game while pulling down 8.4 rebounds per contest.

Stat Pack: As a team in 2015-16, the Mavericks averaged 69.2 points per game to its opponents 74.3. Additionally, Minnesota State totaled 41.0 rebounds per game and 12.6 assists per game. 

Minnesota State History: The 2016-17 season will mark the 51st season in Minnesota State's women's basketball program history, dating back to 1966. During that span the Mavericks totaled an all-time record of 688-585 (.540).

Walking the Sidelines: Head coach Emilee Thiesse will begin her fifth season at MSU. In her four seasons at the helm, she has amassed a 79-40 (.670) overall record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 60-28 (.681) career record.

Scouting Missouri Western State: Missouri Western State is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and has an overall record of 2-0. The Griffons are members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). In their most recent game, Missouri Western State downed Upper Iowa, 85-51. The Griffons are led by head coach Rob Edmisson, who is in his fifth season.

The last time these two schools met in 2015, Minnesota State fell to Missouri Western State, 89-52,  in St. Joseph, Mo. This will be the third ever meeting and the overall series is locked at 1-1.

As a team this season, the Griffons are averaging 81.5 points per game to their opponents 53.5. Additionally, Missouri Western State is totaling 36.0 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per contest. 

Senior Dwanisha Tate leads the Griffons with a team-high 16.0 points per game. Junior Julia Torres is collecting a team-best 9.5 rebounds while senior Chelsea Dewey dishes our a team-leading 7.0 assists per contest. 

Scouting Missouri Southern State: Missouri Southern State is located in Joplin, Mo., and has an overall record of 1-1. The Lions are members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). In their most recent game, Missouri Southern State fell to Southwestern Oklahoma State, 90-73, in the GAC/MIAA Conference Challange. The Lions are led by interim head coach Ronnie Ressel. 

The last time these two schools met in 2015, Minnesota State dropped a 70-58 decision in Joplin, Mo. This will be only the second all-time meeting between these schools. 

As a team this season, the Lions are averaging 78.0 points per game compared to their opponents 85.5. Missouri Southern State adds 45.5 rebounds per contest and 14.5 assists per game. 

Redshirt senior Amelia Bramer leads the Lions with a team-best 16.0 points per game while junior Bri Shavers-McNeace is pulling down a team-leading 8.0 rebounds per game. Senior Deb Holcomb rounds out the top performers with 3.5 assists per contest. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will hit the road for a three game stretch beginning with Black Hills State on Nov. 25. Tip off is set for 5:00 p.m., in Spearfish, S.D