Mankato, Minn. --- #17 Minnesota State hosts Southwest Minnesota State Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sioux Falls Saturday at 5:30 p.m.


Last Time Out:  The Mavericks went 2-0 at home last weekend as they topped University of Mary, 86-60 and Minot State 96-78. With these wins MSU extended their home reign this season to 8-1.  

About Southwest Minnesota State: The Mustangs are 13-8 (7-4 NSIC) and are coached by Tom Webb, who is in his seventh season as head coach.

Southwest Minnesota State is averaging 74.9 points and 35.4 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .441 from the field.

Sam Wall is leading the Mustangs with 13.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Bri Stoltzman is averaging 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Friday's game marks the 69th meeting between both teams. The last match up between the Mavericks and the Mustangs was December 17th, 2022 where Southwest Minnesota State prevailed at home, 88-85. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 45-23.  

About Sioux Falls: The Cougars are 6-16 (3-13 NSIC) and are coached by Travis Traphagen, who is in his 15th season as head coach.

Sioux Falls is averaging 57.6 points and 32.0 rebounds per game this season, while shooting .386 from the field.

Olivia Gamoke leads the Cougars with 10.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Brecli Honner is averaging 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Saturday's game marks the 21st meeting between both teams. The last match-up between the Mavericks and the Cougars was on December 16th, 2022 where Minnesota State prevailed on the road 92-54. The Cougars lead the all-time series 9-11.  

Stat Pack: As a team Minnesota State is averaging 84.8 points, 41 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 2.2 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 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 12th on the all-time scoring list at Minnesota State with 1,269 points, trailing Lynell Anderson who has 1,285 points at the 11th spot.

Taking it Away: Minnesota State junior Joey Batt is ranked fifth with 239 steals in her career. She currently has 69 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 796-654 (.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 187-109 (.621) overall record, including three NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2012-13, 2014-15 and the 2021-22 seasons. In NSIC games, she owns a 137-82 (.625) 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   12.90
4th scoring offense    84.8
22nd winning percentage  85.0
23rd assists per game     16.4
15th assist-turnover ratio 1.21
25th turnovers per game 13.6

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

Rank Name               Category Total
40th Taylor Theusch (assist-to-turnover ratio) 2.25
46th Taylor Theusch (assist-to-turnover ratio) 2.19
3rd Joey Batt           (steals per game)  3.45
3rd Joey Batt           (steals)   69

Home Sweet Home:   Over the last four years, the Mavericks have played to a 37-7 (.840) 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 Wayne State on Friday, February 10th at 7:30 p.m. in Wayne, Neb., and Augustana on Saturday, February 11th in Sioux Falls, S.D at 5:30 p.m.


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