Starting Off: The Mavericks return to South Division competition as they set out on the road for a pair of divisional games against Southwest Minnesota State and the Sioux Falls. On Friday, Feb. 4, the Mavericks head to Marshall, Minn. to take on the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State. Tip-off for the Mavericks and Mustangs is set for 5:30 p.m., Then, on Saturday, Feb. 5, the Mavericks cross borders into Sioux Falls, S.D., for a pivotal match-up between the Mavericks and Cougars. Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m.

Last Time Out: This past weekend, the Mavericks had a clean sweep at home in Taylor Center. On Friday, Jan. 28 the Mavericks took down the Dragons of MSU Moorhead 84-70. The Mavericks followed up that performance with a win over Northern State on Saturday, Jan. 29, 85-76. Minnesota State comes into this weekend of NSIC South Division play with a three-game winning streak.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week with an 15-4 overall record and 11-4 mark in the NSIC. Minnesota State enters this week with only three weeks remaining in the regular season. The Mavericks still sit atop the South Division with Sioux Falls and Concordia-St. Paul both two games behind the Mavericks. Minnesota State still holds the third spot overall in the NSIC trailing only North Division leaders St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth.

Stat Pack: As a team this season, Minnesota State averages 79.1 points per game, which is tops in the NSIC and 16th in the nation, in comparison to its opponents 68.6. Additionally, the Mavericks average 38.0 rebounds per game. The Mavericks have also dished out 14.2 assists per game while stealing the ball 274 times. The Mavericks own a plus-9.6 turnover margin, which is first in the conference and fourth in the NCAA. 

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 own a record of 773-647 (.544).

Picking Pockets: The Mavericks' unrelenting full-court pressure has been both strong and successful throughout the 2021-22 season. The Mavericks 274 steals leads the NSIC and is seventh in the NCAA. The Mavericks average 14.4 steals per game. In comparison, the next closest team is Sioux Falls who has 206 steals with 9.81 per game. Joey Batt and Rylee Menster lead the team in steals with 54 and 36, respectively. Batt and Menster are second and sixth in the NSIC. 

Turnover Generator: The Mavericks' potent pressure on the defensive side of the court has been phenomenal during the 2021-22 season. The Mavericks boast an NSIC-best turnover margin with a plus-9.63 ratio and forced opponents into 452 turnovers compared to their 269. In addition to the turnover margin, the Mavericks have the 16th most forced turnovers in NCAA Division II. The Mavericks have converted the turnovers into 437 points on the other end.

Most-Offensive: The Mavericks have been driven by their No. 1-ranked scoring offense in the NSIC and 16th in the nation. The Mavericks have scored a total of 1,503 points with Augustana being the next closest with 1,237 points. The Mavericks have averaged just over 79 points per game. MSU also holds a plus-10.5 point-scoring margin, which also leads the NSIC. The scoring has been spearheaded by sophomore guard Joey Batt, she leads the Mavericks and is fourth in the conference in scoring with 307 points and 16.2 points per game.

Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is in her 10th season at the helm of the Mavericks. She has amassed a 164-103 (.614) overall record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 125-79 (.612) career record.

Player to Watch: Sophomore Joey Batt was named the Mavericks' Player to Watch this season by the NSIC. Last season, Batt led Minnesota State in scoring to be 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 Southwest Minnesota State: Southwest Minnesota State is located in Marshall, Minn. The Mustangs are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Southwest Minnesota State is currently 9-9 (6-8 NSIC). The Mustangs are led by head coach Tom Webb, who is in his 6th season with the team.

As a team this season, Southwest Minnesota State has averaged 66.3 points per game in comparison to their opponents 65.4 per game and is eighth in the NSIC in scoring offense and ninth in scoring margin with a plus-0.9 in that category. The Mustangs average 38.2 rebounds per contest and dish out 10.9 assists per game.

Southwest Minnesota State is led by senior guard Meleah Reinhart and senior guard Sadie Stelter, who have amassed 236 and 233 points and average 13.9 and 12.9 points per game, respectively. Reinhart is 12th in the NSIC in scoring. Stelter is first on the team on the glass with 102 rebounds and first in steals with 23. Jenna Borchers and Abuk Akoi are tied for the team lead in assists with 38 each. Reinhart currently is third in the conference in free-throw percentage. Akoi leads the team in blocks with 40 averaging 2.2 per game.

Friday's game will mark the 66th time these teams have met. In the most recent outing, the Mavericks defeated the Mustangs 96-74 on Dec. 18, 2021. The Mavericks own the all-time series with an 44-21 record.

Scouting Sioux Falls: The University of Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., The Cougars are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Sioux Falls is currently 13-8 (8-6 NSIC). The Cougars are led by head coach Travis Traphagen, who is in his 14th season with the team.

As a team this season, Sioux Falls averages 69.6 points per game in comparison to their opponents 61.9 per game and is fourth in the NSIC in scoring offense and fourth in scoring margin with a plus-7.7 in that category. The Cougars average 37.0 rebounds per contest and dish out 13.5 assists per game.

Sioux Falls is led by freshman guard Megan Fannin and senior forward Krystal Carlson, who have amassed 306 and 207 points and average 14.6 and 9.9 points per game, respectively. Junior guard Dallie Hoskinson leads the team in rebound and assists. She has hauled in 146 rebounds averaging 7.3 per game and is sixth in the conference in that category. Hoskinson has dished out 76 assists for 3.8 per game. She has also racked up 48 steals which is fourth in the conference averaging 2.4 per game.

Saturday's game will mark the 19th time these teams have met. In the most recent outing, the Mavericks defeated Sioux Falls 73-64 on Dec. 17, 2021. The Cougars own the all-time series with a 11-7 record.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks hit the floor next weekend as they return home to Taylor Center to square-off against Wayne State and Augustana in the second to last week in regular season competition. On Friday, Feb. 11 the Mavericks take on Wayne State with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m., Minnesota State wraps-up the weekend home stand against Augustana on Saturday, Feb. 12, with tip-off slated for 3:30 p.m.