MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State women's basketball (3-4) plays host this week, as Sioux Falls (2-3) and Southwest Minnesota State (2-4) come to town. The Mavericks play the Cougars on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and face off against the Mustangs on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be played at the Taylor Center in Mankato. In its last game, Minnesota State snapped a three-game losing streak in a thirty-point win over non-conference opponent UW-Parkside.

About the Mavericks
Rebounding: After losing three-straight games by double-digits to Southern Nazarene, Fort Hays State and Minnesota Duluth, the Mavericks dominated the Rangers of UW-Parkside at home, 98-68. The team dominated the offensive boards, earned 15 more second-chance opportunities and scored 21 points off those opportunities. Minnesota State also shot a season-high three-point percentage against Parkside, going 7-15 (46.7%) from beyond the arc. Natalie Bremer and Mackenzie Schweim both had 17 points in the victory. Emily Herzberg had 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Ava Stier had 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Current Standings: While still early, Minnesota State currently ranks 11th in the NSIC standings, losing its only conference matchup against the Bulldogs of UMD. Sioux Falls has also lost its only NSIC matchup thus far against Augustana and sits one spot below the Mavericks. Southwest Minnesota State defeated Wayne State in its only conference game this season; the Mustangs currently rank fifth in the NSIC.

First Couple At-Batts: Senior guard Joey Batt made her 2023-24 season debut in the Mavericks' loss against No. 25 Minnesota Duluth. She was out for the first five games with an injury. In her return, Batt led the Mavericks in scoring with 19 points (7-15 FG) and passing with four assists. She also grabbed three rebounds and a steal. In the win against Parkside, Batt had seven points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Like Candy from a Baby: Minnesota State, through its first seven games is averaging 15.4 steals per game, with 108 total steals this season, scoring 25.7 points per game off turnovers. Hannah Herzig leads the team in steals with 22 (3.1 steals per game). Natalie Bremer and Mackenzie Schweim each have 13 steals (1.9 per game). Emily Herzberg has 11 (1.6 per game). Overall, the Mavericks have eight players averaging over one steal per game. Also, with Batt returning to the court, the Mavericks are adding the reigning two-time NSIC Defensive Player of the Year who has averaged 2.5 steals per game in her career as a Maverick. Through her first two games, Batt is averaging four steals per game.

Approaching Greatness: Minnesota State has several individuals approaching historic milestones. Head Coach Emilee Thiesse is just one win shy of 200; she looks to become the second coach in program history to reach the 200-win mark. Coach Thiesse's teams have made the NCAA Tournament four times (2012-13, 2014-15, 2021-22 and 2022-23). She has a record of 149-83 against NSIC opponents.

Reigning two-time NSIC Defensive Player of the Year Batt is 23 steals away from breaking the Maverick all-time steals record, currently held by Rhonda House who had 290 steals between 1980-84. Batt is also 74 points away from becoming the seventh player in Minnesota State women's basketball history to score 1,500 points in a career. Destinee Bursch is 120 points away from scoring 1,000 points in her career.

Team Stats: Minnesota State is scoring 73.6 points per game on average, with a .394 field goal percentage and a .238 three-point percentage. The team is shooting 70% from the free throw line so far this season. The Mavericks pull in 43 rebounds and dish out 14 assists per game.
 
About the Cougars
The Sioux Falls Cougars have started the 2023-24 season with a 2-3 record. The team has lost two straight, first to Augustana, then a four-point nonconference loss to Northern State. Sioux Falls finished the 2022-23 season with an 8-20 record.

The Cougars are averaging 60.4 points per game while shooting 37.9% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range. The team is also shooting 69% from the charity stripe. Sioux Falls grabs 35 rebounds and passes 8.4 assists per game. The team averages 5.8 steals and 4.2 blocks per game.

Freshman Kami Wadsworth is the leading scorer for the Cougars, averaging 12.6 points per game on 48% shooting. Wadsworth is also averaging 3.6 rebounds per game. Ayla Brown is averaging 10.6 points, three assists and 1.2 steals per game. Riley Moreland is averaging eight points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.

Sioux Falls is led by 16th year head coach Travis Traphagen. Traphagen has established a record of 275-156 as head coach of the Cougars. The Mavericks look to tie up the all-time series on Friday, as Sioux Falls holds the all-time lead, 10-11. Minnesota State has won five straight games against the Cougars.
 
About the Mustangs
Southwest Minnesota State has a 2-4 record heading into its first full weekend of conference play. The Mustangs have won two straight against Wayne State and Bethany Lutheran. In 2022-23, SMSU went 19-11 before losing to the Mavericks in the NSIC Tournament.

The Mustangs have averaged 74.3 points through its first six games with a .409 field goal percentage and a .347 three-point percentage. The team is shooting 69.8% from the free throw line. SMSU pulls in 34.7 rebounds per game and deals out over 12 assists per game. As a team, Southwest Minnesota State is averaging 2.67 blocks and nine steals each game.

Bri Stoltzman is leads the Mustangs in scoring, averaging nearly 20 points per game while shooting 47% from the field. She is also the team's leading rebounder and passer, averaging seven rebounds and three assists per game. Sam Wall averages 12.7 points per game through the Cougars' first six. Peyton Blandin is averaging 11 points and 1.7 steals per game.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Tom Webb, who is in his eighth season as the Mustangs' head coach. The Mavericks lead the all-time series between Minnesota State and SWMSU, 47-23. MSU has taken the last two games against the Mustangs and have a record of 23-5 against Southwest at home.