MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (7-0, 3-0 NSIC) looks to continue its strong start to NSIC conference play as the Mavericks were able to go 2-0 this past weekend as they knocked off Upper Iowa at Taylor Center in convincing fashion with a final score of 88-48. The Mavericks then traveled to Winona where they faced a tough test in the Warriors, but were able to take care of business and pull out a 76-67 victory last Saturday. The Mavericks look to continue this streak as they remain on the road this weekend for another pair of NSIC foes. The Mavericks look to take care of business with a reeling Augustana University and a tough Wayne State team. The Mavericks take on Augustana Friday December 10th with tip set for 7:30 p.m., in Sioux Falls, S.D., Then the Mavericks head to Wayne, Neb., to take on the Wayne State Wildcats with tip-off slated for 5:30 p.m.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week after starting the season 7-0. The last time the Mavericks started a season 7-0 or better was in the 2008-09 season where the Mavericks won the NCAA Division II national championship. They face an Augustana team that was picked to win the NSIC South Division but, has had a slow start in the NSIC as they have started 0-3 this season. Then, on the flipside the Mavericks take on a Wayne State team that was picked to finish second to last in the South but, has started strong with a 2-1 NSIC record.

Stat Pack: As a team this season, Minnesota State averages just over 86 points per game, which is tops among the NSIC, in comparison to its opponents 65.7. Additionally, the Mavericks averaged 40 rebounds per game. The Mavericks also dished out 15.1 assists per game while stealing the ball 16.1 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 765-643 (.542).

Mavericks With The Swipes: The Mavericks defensive pressure has been immense thus far in the beginning of the season. The Mavericks lead the NSIC in steals with 113 which equals out to 16.14 per game. In comparison, the next closest team is Augustana who has 71 steals with 11.83 per game. Rylee Menster and Joey Batt lead the team in steals with 22 and 21, respectively. Menster and Batt are second and third in the NSIC in steals where they average just over three steals per contest.

Mavericks Hitting From Deep: The Mavericks as a team are shooting well from downtown as they are third in the NSIC in three-point field goal percentage shooting just under 35%. The Mavericks do lead the NSIC in three-point field goals made per game as they have hit a total of 57 so far in the 2021-22 season which averages out to 8.1 per game.

Most-Offensive: The Mavericks strong start has been driven by their number one ranked scoring offense in the NSIC. The Mavericks have scored a total of 607 points in there 7-0 start. They have averaged just under 87 points per game. The Mavericks also hold a +21-point scoring margin which also leads the NSIC. This bus has been driven by sophomore guard Joey Batt as she leads the Mavericks and third in the conference 138 points and 19.7 per game.

Applying the Pressure: The Maverick defense has been putting the pressure on their opponents early and often. The Mavericks have forced their opponents into 177 turnovers, tops in the NSIC, compared to 104 of their own thus far in the 2021-22 season.  The Mavericks have turned those turnovers into 204 points on the other end. The Mavericks average only 14.9 turnovers a game compared to their opponents 25.3.

Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is entering her 10th season at the helm. She has amassed a 156-99 (.611) overall record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 117-75 (.609) career record.

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 Augustana: Augustana University is in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Vikings are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Vikings are currently 3-3 (0-3 NSIC). Augustana is led by head coach Dave Krauth who is in his 33rd season with the team.

As a team this season, the Vikings have averaged 70.5 points per game in comparison to their opponents 65.2 per game and is sixth in the NSIC in scoring. The Vikings average 40.8 rebounds per contest and dishes out 14.3 assists per game.

The Vikings are led by sophomore guard Lauren Sees and junior guard Vishe' Rabb who average 15.5 and 11.5 points per game, respectively. Sees is also second on the team in assists with 15. Junior forward Aislinn Duffy leads the way on the glass for the Vikings as she has snatched 67 rebounds so far this season and averages 11.2 per contest. Junior guard Kenzie Rensch leads the team and the NSIC with 28 steals which is good for 5.6 per game.

Thursday's game will mark the 83rd time these teams have met. In the most recent outing the Mavericks defeated Augustana University 87-82.

Scouting Wayne State:  Wayne State College is in Wayne, Neb., and is currently 5-2 (2-1 NSIC) on the season. The Wildcats are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Wayne State is led by head coach Brent Pollari who is in his fourth season as the leader of the program.  

As a team this season, the Wildcats net 70.6 points per game in comparison to their opponents' 64. Wayne State also snatches 34.1 rebounds per game and dishes out just under 10 assists per contest.

The Wildcats are led by senior guard Kylie Hammer and junior guard Lauren Zacharias in scoring with 20 and 11.4 points per game so far in 2021-22. Hammer and Zacharias also lead the team in assists with 13 each. Hammer is second in the NSIC in scoring as she has amassed a total of 140 points this season. Junior Forward Kassidy Pingel leads the Wildcats in rebounds as she has snatched 48 which is good for 6.9 per contest.

Saturday's game will mark the 33rd meeting all-time between these universities. In the last meeting, the Mavericks defeated the Wildcats 84-71.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will return home for a three game NSIC homestand as they take on Southwest Minnesota State Friday December 17th at Taylor Center at 5:30 p.m., Then on Saturday December 18th, the Mavericks host Concordia-St. Paul with tip-off slated for 4:00 p.m.


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