Mankato, Minn. --- #7 Minnesota State faces Concordia-St. Paul on the road this weekend in NSIC South Division play Saturday at 1:00 p.m

 
Last Time Out: Before heading into winter break the Mavericks picked up a 92-54 win  against Sioux Falls (12/16), before dropping their first game of the season 88-85 against Southwest Minnesota State (12/17).

Stat Pack: As a team Minnesota State is averaging 86.1 points, 41.5 rebounds, 16.6 assists, 2.3 blocks and 16.6 steals per game. Junior Joey Batt is averaging 18.4 points, sophomore Destinee Bursch is averaging 15.4 points per game and freshman Natalie Bremer is averaging 14.1 points a game.

Preseason Outlook: The Mavericks are picked to finish first in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll receiving a total of 216 points along with eight first-place votes.
 
1,000 Career Points: Minnesota State junior Joey Batt scored 31 points in MSU's 80-71 win over UW-Parkside. In doing so, Batt became the 23rd member of the Minnesota State 1,000 Point Club. Batt ranks 17th all-time in career points at Minnesota State with 1,123.

NSIC's Player of the Week: Freshman Natalie Bremer was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week (12/5/2022) for her performance in MSU's two wins over Winona State and Upper Iowa. Bremer averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in two Maverick wins. Natalie scored 21 points while shooting 8-of-13 from the field, including a 3-of-7 showing from the three point line against Winona State. In her first start of the season, Bremer recorded 19 points, six rebounds and three steals against Upper Iowa.

Minnesota State junior Joey Batt was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week for her efforts against Augustana and Wayne State (12/12/22). Batt averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.0 rebounds in MSU's two wins, while shooting 56.0% from the field. Batt notched 20 points and five assists against Augustana, before posting 15 points, five assists and five steals against Wayne State. This marked the second consecutive week that a Maverick received the NSIC South Division Player of the Week award.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2022-23 season marks the 58th season in Minnesota State women's basketball program history, dating back to 1966. During that span, the Mavericks own a record of 786-650 (.547).
 
Returning Mavericks: The Minnesota State women's basketball team welcomes back nine players and two starters from last years' team. Junior Joey Batt started all 28 games and averaged 15.5 points per game, had 72 steals and averaged 3.4 rebounds while junior Taylor Theusch started in 21 games and averaged 8.6 points per game and 1.5 rebounds. Sophomore Destinee Bursch played in all 28 games and averaged 11.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
 
Fresh Faces: The Mavericks welcome six freshmen for the 2022-2023 season. Natalie Bremer from Lake City, Minn., Delaynie Luneckas from Iowa City, Iowa., Hannah Herzig from Lino Lakes, Minn., Mackenzie Schweim from Mankato, Minn., Lilly Nuytten from Hastings, Minn., and lastly Ava Stier from Waconia, Minn.
 
Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is in her 11th season at the helm. She has amassed a 176-107 (.621) overall record, including three NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13, 2014-15 and the 2021-22 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 132-81 (.610) career record.
 
Player to Watch: Junior Joey Batt was named MSU's Player to Watch. Batt started and played in all 28 games and was named to 1st team All-NSIC. She the Mavericks number one ranked NSIC offense in scoring averaging 15.5 points per game. Placed second in the NSIC in free throw percentage shooting 81.9% and set career high in scoring with 32 points against Concordia-St. Paul (11.23.21). First in the NSIC and 12th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio at 2.31. Second in NSIC in steals with 67 averaging 2.6 per game and hauled in 94 rebounds averaging 3.4. For the first round of the NCAA tournament she led Mavericks in scoring in NCAA Tournament against Fort Hays with 21. Named to NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence.
 
About Concordia-St. Paul: The Golden Bears are part of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and hold a record of 7-4 (4-3 NSIC). The team is coached by Amanda Johnson who is in her eighth season as head coach.
 
The Golden Bears are averaging 62.8 points and 39.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 38.1% from the field.
 
Ally Gietzel is leading the Golden Bears with 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Sarah Kuma is averaging 10.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
 
Saturday's game marks the 46th meeting between both teams. The last match up between the Mavericks and the Golden Bears was November 22, 2022 where Minnesota State prevailed at home 91-61. The Golden Bears lead the all-time series 23-22.  
 
Coming up: Minnesota State continues its NSIC schedule at home facing St. Cloud State on Friday, January 6 at 5:30 p.m., and Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, January 7 at 3:30 p.m. 
 
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