MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 8 Minnesota State women's basketball team (4-0) continues its home stretch on Friday, Nov. 21, when it hosts Colorado School of Mines (1-4) in non-conference play. Tip-off at the Taylor Center is slated for 6 p.m., with the contest available on the NSIC Network.

About the Mavericks
Minnesota State enters the week ranked No. 8 in the WBCA Coaches Poll after beginning the preseason at No. 15. The Mavericks have opened the year with a perfect 4-0 record, sweeping all competition at the D2CCA Tip Off Classic and returning home for a dominant 91- 49 victory over UW-Eau Claire. Through their first four games, the Mavericks have outscored opponents by an average of 36.8points, displaying a fast paced, high pressure style that has overwhelmed every team they have faced so far.

The program continues to be guided by head coach Emilee Thiesse, who is now in her fourteenth season leading Minnesota State. Thiesse is the winningest coach in program history with 257 career victories.

As a team, MSU has been outstanding on both ends of the floor. The Mavericks average 103.5 points per game while also collecting 41.8 rebounds and handing out 22.3 assists. Defensively, they record 22.3 steals per game and limit opponents with strong on ball pressure. Minnesota State shoots .498 percent from the field, .347 percent from three point range, and .772 percent at the free throw line.

Individually, several Mavericks have opened the season with strong performances. Natalie Bremer, a Lake City Minn. native and recent NSIC Shining Five honoree, leads the team with an average of 17.5 points per game. She recorded a season high 24 points in the win over Edinboro, added a steal and two assists in that outing, and later led the Mavericks with 12 points and five steals against UW-Eau Claire. Bremer is shooting .510 percent from the field and .444 percent from three.

Mackenzie Schweim has also been a steady starter for MSU, appearing in all four games while shooting .510 percent from the field. She averages nine points and 3.5 rebounds per game and contributed three offensive rebounds and eight points in the win over UW-Eau Claire.

Freshman guard Haylee Stokes has made an immediate impact as well, averaging 9.8 points per game on an impressive .692percent shooting mark. She added two steals against UW-Eau Claire and produces efficiently in roughly 12 minutes per contest.

Sophomore guard Elisabeth Gadient has delivered a strong beginning to her second season, totaling 35 points across the first four games. Her most notable performance came in the opener against Edinboro, where she recorded five steals and two defensive rebounds. Gadient continues to provide reliable two way production and has emerged as an important contributor in the Mavericks rotation.

About the Orediggers
The Colorado School of Mines enters Friday's matchup with a 1–4 record on the season. The Orediggers earned their lone win in their home opener against UT Dallas, sneaking out a 67–56 victory. Since then, they have already faced two ranked opponents, falling 50–55 to then-No. 20 UT Tyler and 55–80 to then-No. 3 Texas Woman's. 

As a team, the Orediggers average 58.4 points per game while shooting .382 from the field, .274 from three-point range, and .699 at the free-throw line. They also post 31.6 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 16.8 turnovers, 10.2 steals, and 2.2 blocks per contest.

Led by 14th-year head coach Brittany Simpson, Mines features a roster of 11 players, including five returners, two true freshmen, and four transfers.

 Redshirt senior Jenna Shandy paces the Orediggers offensively, averaging 10.8 points per game and posting a 20-point, six-assist, seven-rebound effort against Nebraska–Kearney. In the season opener, she also surpassed 1,000 career points. 

Sophia Baal has been another key contributor, averaging 9.2 points per game and recording 14 points and three blocks against then-No. 3 Texas Woman's.

Friday's contest marks the third meeting between the two programs, with the all-time series currently tied 1–1. Last season, the Mavericks traveled to Colorado School of Mines and dropped a tightly contested 88–92 decision. This will be the first time the two teams meet in Mankato, Minn., as Minnesota State looks to gain the upper hand in the series.