Mankato, Minn. --- #12 Minnesota State travels this weekend to Aberdeen, S.D. to face Northern State on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Moorhead, Minn., to play MSU Moorhead on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., in NSIC action.


Last Time Out:  The Mavericks went 2-0 last weekend as they claimed wins over Minnesota Crookston (85-50) on Friday evening and on Saturday at Bemidji State (90-48).  

About Northern State: The Wolves are 10-8 (5-7 NSIC) and are coached by Paula Krueger, who is in her fifth season as head coach.

Northern State is averaging 64.3 points and 39.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .395 from the field.

Kailee Oliverson is leading the Wolves with 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Laurie Rogers is averaging 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Friday's game marks the 26th meeting between both teams. The last match up between the Mavericks and the Wolves was on January 29th, 2022 where Minnesota State prevailed at home 85-76. The Wolves lead the all-time series 13-12.  

About MSU Moorhead: The Dragons are 8-8 (5-7 NSIC) and are coached by Karla Nelson, who is in her 23rd season as head coach.

MSU Moorhead is averaging 63.3 points and 39.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .407 from the field.

Natalie Jens leads the Dragons with 14.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Mariah McKeever is averaging 14.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Saturday's game marks the 46th meeting between both teams. The last match-up between the Mavericks and the Dragons was on January 28th, 2022 where Minnesota State prevailed at home 84-70. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 27-18.  

Stat Pack: As a team Minnesota State is averaging 85.4 points, 41.8 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 2.3 blocks and 17.3 steals per game. Junior Joey Batt is averaging 17.1 points, sophomore Destinee Bursch is averaging 15.1 points per game and freshman Natalie Bremer is averaging 13.9 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 14th on the all-time scoring list at Minnesota State with 1,195 points, trailing Mary Manderfield who is in 13th place with 1,213 points.

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 793-653 (.548).

Walking the Sidelines: Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is in her 11th season at the helm of MSU Women's Basketball. She has amassed a 184-108 (.630) overall record, including three NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13, 2014-15 and the 2021-22 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 134-81 (.623) career record.

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


Rank Category             Total

1st steals per game     17.3
2nd turnover margin     11.88
5th scoring offense       85.4
17th winning percentage    87.5
21nd assists per game     16.4
21nd assist turnover ratio 1.14
48th turnovers per game 14.4

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

Rank Name Category                                       Total

43rd. Taylor Theusch (assist-to-turnover ratio)        2.2
3rd.   Joey Batt (steals per game)                    3.50
4th.    Joey Batt (steals)                                             56


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 at home facing University of Mary on Friday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m., and Minot Stateon Saturday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m.