MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (5-0, 1-0 NSIC) returns from the lone star state after winning the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic in San Antonio, Texas after defeating Texas A&M - Kingsville and host university St. Mary's on Friday and Saturday. The Mavericks now enter to nothing but NSIC competition for the remainder of the regular season. The Mavericks are already 1-0 in conference play as they took down Concordia- St. Paul last Tuesday and look to continue the strong start of the season.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week after completing a come from behind win at Concordia-St. Paul and winning the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic. The Mavericks now 5-0 look poised to make a big run in NSIC action.

Stat Pack: As a team this season, Minnesota State averages just over 88 points per game, which is tops among the NSIC, in comparison to its opponents 69. Additionally, the Mavericks averaged 38.6 rebounds per game. The Mavericks also dished out 15.2 assists per game while stealing the ball 16.8 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 763-643 (.542).

From The Parking Lot: Sophomore Taylor Theusch leads the NSIC in three-point field goal percentage shooting 48.3% from behind the arc. Theusch is also second in the NSIC in three-point field goals made with 14 (2.8 pg).

Boomin' Bench: The Mavericks bench has been on fire when they check into the contest. In their five games the Mavericks bench has amassed 196 points averaging 39.2 points per game off the bench. They Mavericks have also outscored every team from bench so far this season.

Giving to the Charity Stripe: Sophomore NSIC All-Conference guard Joey Batt has been setting them up and knocking them down from the free throw line as she is 24 for 28 from the stripe so far this season and is 9th in the NSIC shooting 85%.

Applying the Pressure: The Mavericks defense has been putting the pressure on their opponents early and often. The Mavericks have forced their opponents into 131 turnovers thus far in the 2021-22 season. The Mavericks have turned those turnovers into 152 points on the other end. The Mavericks average only 15 turnovers a game compared to their opponents 26.2.

Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is entering her 10th season at the helm. She has amassed a 154-99 (.608) overall record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 115-75 (.605) 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 Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa University is in Fayette, Iowa. The Peacocks are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Peacocks are currently 1-4 (0-1 NSIC). Upper Iowa is led by head coach Nate Oakland who is in his third season with the team.

As a team this season, the Peacocks have averaged 73 points per game in comparison to their opponents 80.4 per game and is third in the NSIC in scoring. The Peacocks average 37.4 rebounds per contest and dishes out 14.2 assists per game.

The Peacocks are led by sophomore guard Lydia Haack and sophomore guard Jessica Musgrave who average 16.2 and 18.5 points, respectively. Haack also leads the team in assists with 23. Junior guard Brooke Evenson leads the way on the glass for the Peacocks as she has snatched 32 rebounds so far this season. .

Thursday's game will mark the 29th time these teams have met. In the most recent outing the Mavericks defeated Upper Iowa 72-48.

Scouting Winona State:  Winona State University is in Winona, Minn., and is currently 4-1 (1-0 NSIC) on the season. The Warriors are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Winona State is led by head coach Scott Ballard who is in his 18th season as the leader of the program.  

As a team this season, the Warriors net 65.4 points per game in comparison to their opponents' 55. Winona also snatches 33.6 rebounds and dishes out 9.2 assists per contest.

The Warriors are led by senior center Emma Fee and senior forward Taylor Hunstad in scoring with 12.6 and 12.0 points per game so far in 2021-22. Fee also leads the NSIC in FG% shooting 63.8%. Hunstad has accumulated 33 rebounds and averages 6.6 per game. Senior guard Emily Kieck leads the Warriors in assists with 12.

Saturday's game will mark the 65th meeting all-time between these universities. In the last meeting, the Mavericks fell to the Warriors 95-91.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will remain on the road as they continue NSIC play and head to Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday December 10th as they square off against Augustana University at 7:30 p.m., Then They head to Wayne, Neb., to face the Wayne State Wildcats on Saturday December 11th with tip slated for 5:30 p.m.


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