MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State women's basketball (2-1) travel to St. Joseph, Mo. to face Southern Nazarene (they play their first game tonight) and Fort Hays State (0-0) in the Regional Crossover Challenge November 10-11. The Mavericks are coming off a good weekend at the DII CCA Tip Off Classic Tournament MSU defeated Florida Tech and Texas A&M – Kingsville, but fell to No. 24 Texas Woman's University.
About the Mavericks
Solid Start: The Mavericks had a solid weekend in Billings, Mont., starting with a dominant win over Florida Tech, 83-44. Minnesota State held the Panthers to just 17 points in the first half and the Mavericks recorded 21 steals which led to 35 points. In game two, Texas Woman's University bested the Mavericks 76-71, despite a 15-point, five-steal performance from Hannah Herzig. The Pioneers' Ashley Ingram had a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds. On Sunday, the Mavericks came back for a great win over Texas A&M – Kingsville, by a final score 76-65. Minnesota State was led by Destinee Bursch, who scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds against the Javelinas. At the end of the tournament, Natalie Bremer and Bursch were named to the All-Tournament team for their great performances over the weekend.
Like Candy from a Baby: Minnesota State, through three games is averaging 17.7 steals per game, with 53 total steals already this season. Herzig leads the team in steals with 12 (four steals per game). Mackenzie Schweim has seven steals (2.3 per game), and Bremer and Emily Herzberg each have six (two per game). Overall, the Mavericks have six players averaging over 1.5 steals per game.
Group Effort: The Mavericks' scoring attack is a balanced one; the team has seven players averaging over five points a game while scoring nearly 77 points per game. So far, Bursch is the leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game. Bremer is right behind her, averaging 14 per game. Herzig and Herzberg each average 9.3 points per game.
Without a Key Batt: Minnesota State has been without one of its best players, thus far, Joey Batt. Batt was named the NSIC Player to Watch for the Mavericks heading into this season and was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in a row in 2022-23. She averaged 16.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3 steals per game last season.
Preseason Outlook: Minnesota State was picked to finish first in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 196 votes, including 14 first place votes. The Mavericks were ranked second in the WBCA Division II women's basketball preseason poll. Minnesota State won the NSIC South Division in 2022-23.
Walking the Sidelines: Mavericks head coach Emilee Thiesse begins her 12th season at the helm of Minnesota State women's basketball. Thiesse has amassed a 198-112 (.638) record, the second most wins in program history. 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.
About the Storm
Southern Nazarene had an excellent 2022-23 campaign, going 27-5 with a 21-1 conference record in the GAC. The Storm eventually lost in the NCAA Central Region Championship to Minnesota Duluth, who went on to beat the Mavericks in the following round.
The Storm were led by a big three in 2022-23. Two return for the 2023-24 season; Georgia Adams and Hannah Giddey. Adams led the team in points, averaging 14.5 points per game, along with 5.1 rebounds a game. Giddey averaged 12.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
The team averaged just under 67 points per game last season, shot 44-percent from the field, 31-percent from three and 73-percent from the foul line. The Storm outrebounded their opponents by 6.3 rebounds each game and averaged eight steals and four blocks per game.
Trent May is heading into his sixth season as head coach of the Storm. May, an alum of Southern Nazarene, has led the Storm to the NCAA DII Tournament twice. The game between the Mavericks and Southern Nazarene will be the first time the teams have faced each other.
About the Tigers
Fort Hays State went 20-12 in 2022-23, with a 14-8 MIAA conference record. The Tigers defeated Missouri Western 71-62 in the MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals but lost to the Jennies of Central Missouri in overtime by two points in the semifinals. Minnesota State beat the Jennies in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season.
The Tigers return two of their top scorers from last season, Katie Wagner and Olivia Hollenbeck. Wagner averaged 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in 2022-23. Hollenbeck averaged 12.5 points, three rebounds, one block and one steal a game.
Last season, Fort Hays State averaged 68 points, 37 rebounds and 15.3 assists per game. The team recorded 112 blocks last season, averaging 3.5 a game.
FHSU has a new head coach this season as Talia Kahrs takes the reigns of the Tigers women's basketball team in 2023-24. Kahrs was an assistant coach for the Tigers for 11 years. The all-time series between Fort Hays State and the Mavericks is tied at 2-2. Minnesota State bested the Tigers in last season's matchup, 65-63.
