MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State women's basketball team is set to host its 2025–26 home opener on Friday, Nov. 14, as the Mavericks (3-0, 0-0 NSIC) welcome UW-Eau Claire (2-1, 0-0 WIAC) to the Taylor Center. Admission for the game will be free for all fans, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.
About the Mavericks
Minnesota State enters Friday's contest coming off a dominant opening weekend out east. The Mavericks began the 2025–26 campaign ranked No. 15 in the WBCA Preseason Coaches Poll, with the first regular season update scheduled for Nov. 18. MSU opened its year at the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, a field composed entirely of teams that reached last season's NCAA Division II Tournament, and made an immediate statement by going a perfect 3-0 against high-caliber competition.
The weekend began with a commanding 113-71 win over Edinboro on Friday, Nov. 7, where MSU generated 43 points off turnovers and received 60 points from its bench. The Mavericks carried that momentum into Saturday with a 98-53 victory over California (Pa.) at the Highmark Event Center, fueled by 27 steals and another dominant showing in the paint with 60 points. MSU capped the trip on Sunday with a 112-94 win over Union (Tenn.), producing 36 points off turnovers and 50 points in the paint. The performance marked Minnesota State's second 100-point outing in its opening three games.
Across the weekend, the Mavericks averaged 107 points per game and won by an average margin of 35 points while shooting .511 from the field and .789 from the free throw line. MSU also pulled down 38.7 rebounds per game and continued to pressure opponents defensively, averaging 22.3 assists, 19.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks over the three contests.
Senior guard Natalie Bremer paced the Mavericks' offensive attack throughout the weekend. She opened the season with 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including four three-pointers, against Edinboro. Bremer followed with 16 points and two steals against California (Pa.) and added 18 points and five rebounds in the win over Union (Tenn.). Through three games, she is shooting .541 from the field and .933 at the line.
Senior guard Hannah Herzig was equally impactful on both ends of the court. After contributing two steals and a block in the opener, she delivered a game-high five steals and four assists against California (Pa.) and added 11 points and three steals versus Union (Tenn.). The 6-foot guard is averaging 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds to begin the season.
Minnesota State also received strong production from its young core. Sophomore Elisabeth Gadient opened the year with 12 points and five steals, while freshman guard Haylee Stokes made an immediate impact with seven points, five assists, and two steals in her collegiate debut. Stokes currently leads the team with 10 assists through the first three games. Waconia, Minn., native Ava Stier added 13 points, eight rebounds, and two steals against California (Pa.) and leads MSU on the glass with 12 rebounds, averaging 4.0 per game.
Head Coach Emilee Thiesse enters her 14th season guiding the Mavericks and brings a career record of 256-124 (.674) into Friday's matchup.
About the Blugolds
The Blugolds enter the matchup holding a 2–1 overall record to start the season. UW–Eau Claire opened its year by hosting the UWEC Tipoff Tournament, earning an 83–52 win over Lakeland University on Nov. 8 before falling to Ripon College 78–73 the following day. Most recently, the Blugolds traveled to Saint Benedict on Nov. 12, edging out a tight 61–60 victory. While UW-Eau Claire will treat this meeting as an exhibition contest, the game will count toward Minnesota State's regular-season slate.
Through their first three games, the Blugolds are averaging 72.3 points per game while shooting .389 from the field and .346 from the three-point line. UW–Eau Claire has posted a .718 mark at the free throw line and is pulling down 42.7 rebounds per contest. The Blugolds also averaged 12.3 assists, 15.0 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game.
Kyla Overskei, a senior guard from Maple Grove, Minn., leads Eau Claire's offense with 55 points through the opening stretch of the season. Overskei is shooting .390 from the field and .389 from beyond the arc.
On the defensive end, sophomore forward Delaney Nyenhuis has been a key presence, totaling nine steals, four blocks, and an impressive blend of 18 defensive and 14 offensive rebounds. She has added 21 points on the season.
Senior guard Reanna Hutchinson has logged a team-high 28.3 minutes per game, contributing 33 points along with seven rebounds, five assists, and 11 steals.
The Blugolds are guided by longtime Head Coach Tonja Englund, who is in her 26th season at the helm of the program. Englund entered the 2025–26 campaign with the fourth-most wins in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history, carrying an impressive 416–254 career record.
The Mavericks and Blugolds last met in regular-season play in Nov. of 2011, when Minnesota State secured a 59–50 victory. The programs hold a 1–1 all-time mark in regular-season competition. The two squads also faced off in an exhibition last season inside the Taylor Center.
