MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (2-0, 0-0 NSIC) heads to one of the twin cities as they get set to open conference play as they take on the Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul. (2-0, 0-0 NSIC). Then, the Mavericks head to the lone star state as they will compete in the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic as they will square off against Javelinas of Texas A&M University - Kingsville (2-1, 0-0 LSC) on Friday and wrap up the tourney on Saturday as they play the host institution St. Mary's University (0-4, 0-0 LSC).

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week coming off two decisive wins against Bethany Lutheran College and UW-Parkside. The Mavericks sit at 2-0 heading into a big weekend of competition.

Stat Pack: As a team this season, Minnesota State averages 100 points per game, which is tops among the NSIC, in comparison to its opponents 70. Additionally, the Mavericks averaged 39 rebounds per game. The Mavericks also dished out 19 assists per game while stealing the ball 17.0 times per game.

Minnesota State History: The 2021-22 season marks the 57th season in Minnesota State women's basketball program history, dating back to 1966. During that span, the Mavericks totaled a record of 760-643 (.541).

Downtown Mavericks: Sophomore and Freshman Taylor Theusch and Destinee Bursch lead the NSIC in 3-PT field goal percentage, shooting 64.3% and 60% respectively from behind the arc. They are also the leaders in 3-PT field goals per game averaging 4.5 and 3.0 per game.

Boomin' Bench: The Mavericks bench has been on fire when they check into the contest. In their first two games the Mavericks bench has amassed 102 points averaging 51 points per game off the bench.

Giving to the Charity Stripe: Sophomore NSIC All-Conference guard Joey Batt has been setting them up and knocking them down in terms of free throws as she is 12 for 12 from the stripe so far this season and leads the NSIC with a perfect 100% and is tied for first in the NCAA.

Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is entering her 10th season at the helm. She has amassed a 151-99 (.604) overall record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 114-75 (.603) career record.

Fresh Faces: Minnesota State will welcome in five newcomers for the 2021-22 campaign with Desiree Kleiman of Maribel, Wis., Molly Ihle of Huxley, Iowa, Destinee Bursch of Chaska, Minn., Morgan Krumwiede of Burnsville, Minn. and Sophie Wood of Lindstrom, Minn.

Player to Watch: Sophomore Joey Batt was named the Mavericks player to watch this season. Last season, Batt led Minnesota State in scoring en-route to being named to the NSIC South Division All-Conference First Team as well as NSIC South Division Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named to the NSIC South Division All Defensive Team.  She finished the season with 214 points, 45 rebounds and 50 steals while also being named to the NSIC All-Academic team of Excellence.

Scouting Concordia-St. Paul: Concordia-St. Paul University is located in St. Paul, Minn., The Golden Bears are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Golden Bears are currently 2-0 (0-0 NSIC). Concordia-St. Paul is led by head coach Amanda Johnson who is in her 7th season with the team.

As a team this season, the Golden Bears have averaged 79.5 points per game in comparison to their opponents 55.5 per game and lead the NSIC field goal percentage defense. The Golden Bears average 46.0 rebounds per contest and dishes out 18.0 assists per game.

The Golden Bears are led by sophomore guard Jadyn Hanson and junior guard Meghan Dubois who average 15.0 and 13.5 points, respectively. Dubois also leads the way on the glass for the Golden Bears as she has snatched 18 rebounds so far this season as well as dishing out assists as she has 14.

Tuesday's game will mark the forty-third time these teams have met. In the most recent outing the Mavericks were defeated by Concordia-St. Paul 99-93.

Scouting Texas A&M - Kingsville:  Texas A&M University - Kingsville is located in Kingsville, Texas., and is currently 2-1 (0-0 LSC) on the season. The Javelinas are members of the Lone Star Conference (LSC).  Kingsville is led by head coach Michael Madrid who is in his 3rd season as the leader of the program.  

As a team this season, the Javelinas net 53.7 points per game in comparison to their opponents' 52.7. Kingsville also snatches 29.7 rebounds and dishes out 11.0 assists per contest.

The Javelinas are led by freshman guard Jayde Tschritter, sophomore forward Georgia Ohiaeri and freshman guard Mia Rivers lead the team in scoring with 10, 8.7 and 8.7 points per game so far in 2021-22. Senior forward Anastacia Mickens has accumulated 13 rebounds and averages 4.3 per game. Mia Rivers also leads the team in assists with 11.

Friday's game will mark the first meeting all-time between these universities.

Scouting St. Mary's University: St. Mary is located in San Antonio, Texas., The Rattlers are members of the Lone Star Conference (LSC). The Rattlers are currently 0-4 (0-0 LSC). St. Mary's is led by head coach Jason Martens who is in her 16th season with the team.

As a team this season, the Rattlers have averaged 54.5 points per game in comparison to their opponents 70.3 per game. They average 38.8 rebounds per game and 10.8 assists a game.

The Rattlers are led by fifth year post Hannah Wilson and freshman forward Faith Phillips who average 14.3 and 8.5 points, respectively. Wilson also leads the way on the glass for the Rattlers as she has snatched 42 rebounds so far this season averaging 10.5 a game. Freshman guard Sarai Estupinan leads the team in assists with 12 averaging three per game.

Saturday's game with mark the very first meeting between these institutions.

Looking Ahead: Minnesota will return home as they will dive headfirst into NSIC conference action. The Mavericks will play host to Upper Iowa on Thursday, December 2nd with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m., in Mankato, Minn. at Taylor Center. Then, the Mavericks will hit the road once again as they head to Winona State to take on the Warriors in Winona, Minn. on Saturday, December 4th with tip-off slated for 3:30 p.m.


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