Starting Off: The Mavericks are set for the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament as they take on Southwest Minnesota State in the quarterfinal round on Saturday Feb. 26 with tip-off slated for 7:00 p.m.. Minnesota State heads to Sioux Falls, S.D., for the tournament inside the Sanford Pentagon. The Mavericks have spilt their two games this season against the Mustangs. Minnesota State defeated SMSU 96-74 back on Dec. 11 2021 in Taylor Center. The Mustangs took the second game of the season in Marshall, Minn., with a final score of 63-46. 

Last Time Out: This past weekend, the Mavericks were able to lock up the NSIC South Division title to claim the number one seed in the south. On Thursday the Mavericks traveled to Upper Iowa to take on the Peacocks where they trounced them 91-67 in Fayette, Iowa. Minnesota State then returned home for senior day hosting the Warriors of Winona State. The Mavericks had a successful senior day as they controlled a majority of the contest and earned a 78-55 victory in Taylor Center.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the tournament with a 20-5 overall record and 16-5 mark in the NSIC. Minnesota State has now eclipsed the 20-win mark for the 11th time in team history and fourth time in head coach Emilee Thiesse's tenure that the Mavericks have reached this mark. The Mavericks are the number one seed in the south in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. 

Award Winners: Minnesota State saw three athletes garner NSIC awards. Joey Batt was named to the All-NSIC First Team for the second consecutive year. Senior Maddy Olson earned All-NSIC Second team recognition for her performance this year. Destinee Bursch was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year by conference officials. This is the first time a Maverick has received this honor.

Stat Pack: As a team this season, Minnesota State averages 79.2 points per game, which is tops in the NSIC and 13th in the nation, in comparison to its opponents 67.4. Additionally, the Mavericks average 38 rebounds per game. The Mavericks have also dished out 15.1 assists per game. The Mavericks own a plus-9.9 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 778-648 (.545).

Picking Pockets: The Mavericks' full-court pressure has been both strong and successful throughout the 2021-22 season. The Mavericks 361 steals leads the NSIC and is fifth in the NCAA. The Mavericks average 14.4 steals per game. In comparison, the next closest team is Sioux Falls who has 266 steals with 9.50 per game. Joey Batt and Maddy Olson lead the team in steals with 64 and 58, respectively. Batt and Olson are second and fourth in the NSIC. 

Turnover Generator: The Mavericks' potent pressure on the defensive side of the court has been outstanding during the 2021-22 season. The Mavericks boast an NSIC-best turnover margin with a plus-9.96 ratio and forced opponents into 591 turnovers compared to their 342. In addition to the turnover margin, the Mavericks have the eighth most forced turnovers in NCAA Division II. The Mavericks have converted the turnovers into 591 points on the other end.

Most-Offensive: The Mavericks have been driven by their No. 1-ranked scoring offense in the NSIC and 13th in the nation. The Mavericks have scored a total of 1,979 points with Augustana being the next closest with 1,718 points. The Mavericks have averaged just over 79.2 points per game. MSU also holds a plus-11.8 point-scoring margin, which is tied for first in the NSIC. The scoring has been spearheaded by sophomore guard Joey Batt, she leads the Mavericks and is eighth in the conference in scoring with 383 points and 15.3 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 168-104 (.617) overall record, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 130-80 (.619) 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 University is located in Marshall, Minn. The Mustangs are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  Southwest Minnesota State is currently 13-12 (9-11 NSIC) entering the NSIC Tournament this weekend. The Mustangs are led by head coach Tom Webb, who is in his sixth season with the team.

As a team this season, Southwest Minnesota State has averaged 66.4 points per game in comparison to their opponents 64.9 per game and is eighth in the NSIC in scoring offense and ninth in scoring margin with a plus-1.6 in that category. The Mustangs average 38.0 rebounds per contest and dish out 15.1 assists per game.

Southwest Minnesota State is led by senior guard Meleah Reinhart and senior guard Sadie Stelter, who have amassed 350 and 327 points and average 14.6 and 13.1 points per game, respectively. Stelter is also tops on the team in steals with 30. Senior center Abuk Akoi leads the Mustangs in rebounds with 137 averaging 5.5 per game. Akoi also leads the team in assists and blocks with 137 and 67. She is third in the NSIC in blocks. 

Saturday's game will mark the 67th time these teams have met. In the most recent outing, the Mavericks were defeated by the Mustangs  63-46 on Feb. 4, 2022. The Mavericks own the all-time series with a 44-22 record.

Looking Ahead: If the Mavericks defeat the Mustangs Saturday evening in the quarterfinal round, they will take on the winner of the Minnesota Duluth and University of Mary match on Monday Feb. 28 with tip-off set for 1:00 p.m. in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

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