MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team will play its first home games of the 2020-21 season as the Wayne State Wildcats come to Mankato, Minn., for a pair of games. Friday, Jan 15th, the Mavericks and Wildcats will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday the teams will begin action at 3:00 p.m.

Mavericks at a Glance: Last weekend the Mavericks split a pair of games against the Augustana Vikings. Friday night Minnesota State fell to the Vikings 80-72 and Saturday afternoon, the Mavericks won an exciting 87-82 overtime victory over Augustana.

Stat Pack: As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 74.5 points per game in comparison to its opponents' 76.5. Additionally, the Mavericks average 46.5 rebounds per
game and dish out 13.3 assists per game while stealing the ball 12.5 times per game.

Impact Mavericks: Sophomore guard Joey Batt is the leading scorer for the Mavericks averaging 18.5 points per game, which currently ranks fourth best in the NSIC, and is coming off a career high 28-point performance against Augustana. Senior wing Tayla Stuttley is the second leading scorer for Minnesota State averaging 14.3 points per game to go along with 7.0 boards per game. Senior forward Brooke Tonsfeldt is the leading rebounder for the Mavericks averaging 9.0 boards per game while fellow front court running mate Rachel Shumski is averaging 7.5 boards to go along with 10.3 points per game.

About Wayne State: Last weekend Wayne State suffered a pair of losses against Concordia-St. Paul at home. The Wildcats are led by third year head coach Brent Pollari. 

Wayne State's top offensive threat is senior forward Erin Norling who is averaging 18.0 points per game while also leading the team in rebounds with 8.3 per game. Halley Busse (13.0 ppg) and Brittany Bongartz (10.3 ppg) both contribute double figure scoring for the Wildcats this season.

For the teams, these games will mark the 20th and 21st all-time meeting with the Mavericks and Wildcats having split the last ten contests. Last season, Minnesota State won both games between the teams.

Looking Ahead: After the two-game series with the Wildcats the Mavericks will remain at home for a pair of games against Southwest Minnesota State. Friday, Jan. 22nd the game will tip-off at 6:00 p.m., and Saturday the teams will begin play at 3:00 p.m.