MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team returns home in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) action against Sioux Falls on Friday at 6:00 p.m. The Mavericks will wrap up the weekend hosting Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (5-12, 3-8 NSIC) enters the week after splitting on the road last weekend. The Mavericks picked up a 72-54 win over Minot State before falling to U-Mary in overtime, 90-84.

Impact Mavericks: Senior Claire Ziegler sets the standard for Minnesota State with a team-best 11.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Sophomore Taylor Klug is also averaging double figures in scoring with 10.4 points per contest. Junior Monica Muthis handing out a team-high 2.1 assists per game. 

Stat Pack: As a team this season, Minnesota State is posting 64.9 points per game in comparison to its opponents' 72.6. The Mavericks are also snatching 38.2 rebounds and distributing 10.2 assists per contest. 

Controlling the Boards: The Mavericks are currently slotted seventh in the NSIC with 38.2 rebounds per game and are ranked third in offensive rebounds with 12.9. Minnesota State pulled down a season-high 53 rebounds against Palm Beach Atlantic and Chaminade. 

Having a Weekend: Sophomore Taylor Klug averaged 21.5 points last weekend. The guard made her fourth start of the season at Minot State and posted a career-high 27 points shooting 55.0% (11-20) from the field. Klug closed the weekend dropping 16 points off the bench at U-Mary. The Colgate, Wis., native has reached double digit scoring in three of the last four games and seven total times this season. 

Off the Bench: Freshman Kirstin Klitzke came off the bench and netted a season-high 22 points at U-Mary. The Montrose, Minn., native logged a season-best 29 minutes while shooting 90.0% (9-10) from the field and 66.7% (2-3) from three. 

100th Career Win: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse earned her 100th career win at Minot State last weekend. She has totaled a overall career record of 100-63 (75-46 NSIC) over the last six seasons. Thiesse has led the Mavericks to two NCAA postseason appearances and boasts a 55-21 (.723) record at Taylor Center. 

From the Field: Minnesota State posted a season-high 48.5% (32-66) field goal percentage against U-Mary last weekend. Senior Claire Ziegler is shooting a team-best 45.6% from the field this season.  

Creating Possessions: The Mavericks created a season-high 13 steals at U-Mary last weekend. Senior Claire Ziegler and sophomore Taylor Klug contributed three steals each. 

High Scoring: Minnesota State netted a season-best 84 points in the overtime loss at U-Mary last weekend. The Mavericks shot 48.5% from the field and netted six three pointers. 

Going to the Bench: The Minnesota State bench posted a season-best 46 points at U-Mary last weekend. The Maverick bench has posted at least 20 points in 12 games this season and is averaging 25.2 points per contest. 

Scouting Sioux Falls: Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and has a 11-5 (8-4 NSIC) overall record. The Cougars have won their last two games and most recently topped Minnesota Crookston, 74-57. Head Coach Travis Traphagen leads Sioux Falls in his 10th season.

As a unit, the Cougars are averaging 66.1 points per game in comparison to their opponents 58.6. Sioux Falls is collecting 38.1 rebounds and handing out 14.5 assists per game. 

The last time these two programs met last season, Minnesota State fell to Sioux Falls, 75-65, at Taylor Center. The Cougars have won the last four meetings and lead the all-time series, 6-4. 

Scouting Southwest Minnesota State: Southwest Minnesota State is located in Marshall, Minn., and has a overall record of 4-11 (3-9 NSIC). Most recently, the Mustangs downed Bemidji State, 84-70. Southwest Minnesota State is led by second year head coach Tom Webb. 

As a team, the Mustangs are posting 63.0 points per game in comparison to their opponents 70.1. SMSU is also pulling down 38.8 rebounds and distributing 11.1 assists per contest. 

The last time these two teams met last season, Minnesota State cruised past Southwest Minnesota State, 106-77, at Taylor Center. The Mavericks won the last 20 meetings and lead the all-time series, 31-14. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State travels to Concordia-St. Paul on Jan. 23. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. 

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