Mankato, Minn. --- #11 Minnesota State travels this weekend to Crookston, Minn. to face UMC Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Bemidji, Minn. to play BSU Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in NSIC action.

Last Time Out:  The Mavericks went 1-1 this weekend as they claimed a win over St. Cloud State 86-61 on Friday evening and fell Saturday to #23 Minnesota Duluth 75-78.  

About Minnesota Crookston: The Golden Eagles are 8-8 (7-3 NSIC) coached by Mike Roysland, who is in his 17th season as head coach.

Minnesota Crookston are averaging 64.8 points and 38.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .394 from the field.

Emma Miller is leading the Golden Eagles with 17.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Alex Page is averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Saturday's game marks the 28th meeting between both teams. The last match up between the Mavericks and the Golden Eagles was February 26th of 2020 where Minnesota State prevailed at home 87-54. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 20-7.  

About Bemidji State: The Beavers are 4-10 (1-9 NSIC) coached by Chelsea Stoltenberg, who is in her eight season as head coach.

Bemidji State are averaging 60.0 points and 35.7 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .381 from the field.

Trinity Yoder leads the Beavers with 14.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Ella Gilbertson is averaging 11.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Saturday's game marks the 52th meeting between both teams. The last match-up between the Mavericks and the Beavers was on January 14th of 2022 where Minnesota State prevailed at home 72-68. The Beavers lead the all-time series 36-15.  

Stat Pack: As a team Minnesota State is averaging 85.1 points, 40.9 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 2.4 blocks and 16.8 steals per game. Junior Joey Batt is averaging 17.4 points, sophomore Destinee Bursch is averaging 14.9 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 who ranks 17th on the all-time scoring list at Minnesota State with 1,164 points 15th all-time on the school's chart. Andrews scored 1,176 points during her career as a Maverick.

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. Bremer 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.

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).

Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is in her 11th season at the helm of MSU Women's Basketball. She has amassed a 182-108 (.627) 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.

Nationally Speaking: Statistically, the Mavericks rank in several national categories, including:


Rank Category               Total

1st steals per game       16.8
2nd turnover margin     11.36
5th scoring offense          85.1
50th turnovers per game   14.4
15th assists per game       17.0
22nd assist-turnover ratio   1.16
23rd winning percentage    85.7

 
Individually, the following Mavericks are ranked in the top-25 in the nation:

Rank Name           Category                           Total

2nd. Taylor Theusch (assist-to-turnover ratio)     4.0
2nd. Joey Batt (steals per game)                  3.50
5th. Joey Batt (steals)                                          49


Home Sweet Home:   Over the last four years, the Mavericks have played to a 35-7 (.83) winning percentage inside the friendly confines of the Taylor Center.

Inside the polls:  The Mavericks have been ranked in every WBCA poll this year, reaching a ranking as high as #4 on Dec. 13.


Coming up: Minnesota State continues its NSIC schedule on the road facing Northern State on Friday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m., and MSU Moorhead on Saturday, January 21 at 5:30 p.m.


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