Mankato, Minn. --- #17 Minnesota State hosts University of Mary Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Minot State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., in NSIC action.

Last Time Out:  The Mavericks went 1-1 on the road last weekend as they fell against Northern State, 72-69 and claimed a win over MSU Moorhead 77-70.   

About University of Mary: The Marauders are 11-6 (10-4 NSIC) and are coached by Rick Neumann, who is in his eleventh season as head coach. 

University of Mary is averaging 69.4 points and 37.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .432 from the field. 

Megan Zander is leading the Marauders with 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Megan Voit is averaging 9.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. 

Friday's game marks the 19th meeting between both teams. The last match up between the Mavericks and the Marauders was on January 22th, 2022 where Minnesota State prevailed on the road 74-60. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 14-4.   

About Minot State: The Beavers are 9-11 (5-9 NSIC) and are coached by Mike Brandt, who is in his second season as head coach. 

Minot State is averaging 60.3 points and 34.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .392 from the field. 

Kate Head leads the Dragons with 16.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Natasha Elliott is averaging 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. 

Saturday's game marks the 11th meeting between both teams. The last match-up between the Mavericks and the Beavers was on January 21st, 2022 where Minot State prevailed at home 81-71. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 8-2.   

Stat Pack: As a team Minnesota State is averaging 84.1 points, 41.6 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 2.3 blocks and 16.8 steals per game. Junior Joey Batt is averaging 17.0 points, sophomore Destinee Bursch is averaging 14.8 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 12th on the all-time scoring list at Minnesota State with 1,235 points, trailing Lynell Anderson who has 1,285 points at the 11th spot.

Ranking of MSU Steals: Minnesota State junior Joey Batt is ranked 5th with 235 steals in her career. She currently has 65 for this 22-23 season. She is trailing Joanne Noreeen and Pat Burns who are both placing third with 244 steals.

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 794-654 (.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 185-109 (.629) overall record, including three NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13, 2014-15 and the 2021-22 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 135-82 (.622) career record. 

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

Rank    Category                    Total
1st    steals per game             16.8
1st    turnover margin             12.06
4th    scoring offense              84.1
26th    winning percentage     83.3
31st    assists per game         15.7
20th    assist-turnover ratio    1.14
33rd    turnovers per game    13.8 

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

Rank    Name    Category....................Total
63rd.    Molly Ihle (assist-to-turnover ratio)    .........2.0
63rd.    Taylor Theusch (assist-to-turnover ratio)    2.0
2nd.     Joey Batt (steals per game)    .......................3.61
3rd.     Joey Batt (steals)    .......................................65

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 State on Saturday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m.