MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (3-1, 0-0 NSIC) will return home this weekend to open NSIC play against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs and the #11 Sioux Falls Cougars, Friday and Saturday.
 
Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (3-1, 0-0 NSIC), enters the week with a 3-1 record after traveling to Kenosha, Wis., and defeating the UW-Parkside Rangers, 91-83. 
 
Stat Pack: As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 87.3 points per game in comparison to its opponents' 70.8. Additionally, the Mavericks average 41.3 rebounds per game and dish out 17.3 assists per game while stealing the ball 14.8 times per game.
 
Scouting Southwest Minnesota State:  Southwest Minnesota State is located in Marshall, Minn., and is currently 5-1 (0-1 NSIC) on the season. The Mustangs are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  SMSU is led by head coach Tom Webb who is in his fourth season as the leader of the program. 
 
As a team this season, the Mustangs net 73.5 points per game in comparison to their opponents' 61.5. SMSU also snatches 40.7 rebounds and dishes out 10.5 assists per contest.
 
The Mustangs are led by junior guard Meleah Reinhart and sophomore guard Jenna Borchers who average 17.7 and 13.8 points per game respectively. Senior forward Caleigh Rodning leads SMSU in rebounding, averaging 7.5 boards per contest.
 
Friday's game will mark the 50th all-time meeting between these two programs, the most recent of which was an 88-73 loss for the Mavericks last season.
 
Scouting #11 Sioux Falls:  The University of Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and is currently 7-0 (1-0 NSIC) on the season. The Cougars are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  USF is led by head coach Travis Traphagen who is in his 11th season as the leader of the program.  The Cougars are currently ranked 11th in the WBCA Coaches Poll.
 
As a team this season, the Cougars net 79.9 points per game in comparison to their opponents' 61.4. USF also snatches 36.7 rebounds and dishes out 16.6 assists per contest.
 
The Cougars are led by senior guard Kaely Hummel and junior forward Anna Goodhope who average 18.6 and 13.1 points per game respectively.  Forward Jacey Huinker leads USF in rebounding, averaging 7.1 boards per game.
 
Saturday's game will mark the 17th all-time meeting between these two programs, the most recent of which was an 81-71 loss for the Mavericks last season. 
 
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will take to the road for the first time in conference play as the team takes on Winona State and Upper Iowa Friday and Saturday.  Tip-off for those games is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday respectively.