MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State women's basketball travels for a pair of NSIC contests this week, beginning with a Thursday, Dec. 18 matchup at Southwest Minnesota State. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the R/A Facility. The Mavericks then continue their road swing on Saturday, Dec. 20, taking on Sioux Falls at the Stewart Center with a 5 p.m. start time. Both games will stream live on the NSIC Network.

About the Mavericks
The Mavericks have extended their home winning streak to 30 games, ranking as the fourth-longest active home streak across all NCAA divisions and the longest currently in Division II women's basketball. Minnesota State remains unbeaten at 11-0 overall and 5-0 in NSIC play, holding sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

MSU is currently ranked No. 2 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, with the next set of rankings scheduled for release on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Last week, the Mavericks continued their dominant stretch with a 90-63 victory over Wayne State on Thursday, Dec. 11, inside the Taylor Center. Minnesota State followed with its most decisive win of the season on Saturday, Dec. 13, cruising past Augustana 108-60 for a 48-point margin over the Vikings.

As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 99.3 points per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the field, 35.6 percent from three-point range, and 78.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Mavericks average 40.6 rebounds, 18.1 assists, 18.1 turnovers, 21.3 steals, and 2.1 blocks per contest. MSU leads the nation in steals per game and ranks first nationally in scoring at 99.3 points per game, while also placing third in Division II in bench scoring with 42.7 points per game from its reserves.

Natalie Bremer continued to anchor the Mavericks' offense, totaling 46 points over two games with 21 against Wayne State and 25 versus Augustana. She shot 52.9 percent from the field and was perfect at the free-throw line, going 9-for-9, while averaging 4.5 rebounds per game. Minnesota State's leading scorer surpassed the 1,900 career-point mark against Augustana and ranks second among active Division II players in both career points (1,904) and steals (273). Bremer also ranks fourth in the NSIC in scoring average at 21.0 points per game, while her 206 total points this season rank sixth nationally

Senior forward Ava Stier delivered one of the most efficient weeks of her career, highlighted by a career-high 18 points against Augustana after scoring 13 against WSC. She connected on five three-pointers across the two games and averaged two assists per contest. Stier leads the Mavericks on the glass this season with 58 rebounds through 11 games, averaging 5.3 per outing, and remains perfect from the free-throw line at 11-11. She also paced the NSIC in three-point percentage last week, shooting an impressive .833.

Hannah Herzig set the tone defensively, leading the NSIC with five steals on the week while continuing to impact the game in multiple facets. She recorded six assists, four steals, and two blocks against Augustana, consistently disrupting passing lanes and creating transition opportunities for the Mavericks. Herzig currently ranks second nationally in steals, averaging 3.36 per game with 37 total on the season.

Mankato, Minn. native Mackenzie Schweim added valuable production in the backcourt against Wayne State, finishing with 14 points while connecting on five field goals, including three from beyond the arc. Adeline Kent complemented the effort with seven points and a strong defensive showing, recording four steals to help fuel Minnesota State's pressure on the perimeter. 

Freshman Haylee Stokes continued her upward trajectory with a breakout performance against Augustana, posting a career-high 17 points while knocking down two three-pointers and collecting four steals, further highlighting the Mavericks' depth and balance on both ends of the floor.

About the Mustangs
Southwest Minnesota State enters the matchup with a 5-5 overall record and a 3-2 mark in NSIC play. The Mustangs split their two games last week, earning a 70-67 road victory over No. 25 Concordia-St. Paul before falling 84-78 at Winona State in Winona, Minn. SMSU is led by Tom Webb, who is in his 10th season at the helm and owns a 129-124 overall record during his tenure with the Mustangs.

As a team, Southwest Minnesota State is averaging 71.9 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field, 33.7 percent from three-point range, and 77.2 percent at the free-throw line. The Mustangs average 37.6 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 11.6 turnovers, 2.3 blocks, and 5.7 steals per contest.

Kylan Gerads paced Southwest Minnesota State's offense in its matchup against Winona State, leading the Mustangs with 23 points in the contest.

Audrey Swanson and Nicole Maenke serve as SMSU's primary scoring options this season, as the duo is tied for the team lead with 160 points each through the first 10 games. Swanson contributes across multiple facets, averaging 7.2 rebounds per game while adding 33 assists on the season. Maenke has been efficient offensively, shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from three-point range, while leading the team at the free-throw line with a 91.0 percent clip. She also led the Mustangs in scoring against Concordia-St. Paul, finishing with 20 points in the road victory.

Minnesota State holds a 52-23 advantage in the all time series against Southwest Minnesota State. The Mavericks claimed the most recent meeting in March 2025 with an 87-74 win inside the R/A Facility. MSU has also won seven straight contests against the Mustangs and owns a 15-10 record in games played on the road.

About the Cougars
Sioux Falls enters the matchup with a 7-3 overall record and a 4-1 mark in NSIC play, coming off a split week that included a 77-68 road loss at Winona State and a win over Concordia-St. Paul. This contest marks the Cougars' third game of the season against a nationally ranked opponent and their second against a top-10 team. Earlier this year, USF faced then-No. 9 Fort Hays State, falling 84-75, before responding with a narrow 77-75 victory over No. 25 Concordia-St. Paul.

The Cougars are led by head coach Travis Traphagen, who is in his 18th season at the helm of the program. Traphagen owns a 308-190 overall record during his tenure and is among the longest-tenured coaches in the conference.

Sioux Falls is averaging 74.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 45.6 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 75.3 percent at the free-throw line. The Cougars average 36.6 rebounds and 15.0 assists per contest, while adding 8.0 steals and 2.4 blocks per game, and committing 10.6 turnovers on average.

Anna Vaaler, a native of Andover, Minnesota, leads Sioux Falls in scoring this season with 222 total points and ranks second in the NSIC in total points. Over two games last week, Vaaler posted 39 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, continuing to anchor the Cougars' offensive attack.

Junior Ayla Brown has been a key facilitator for Sioux Falls, leading the team with 56 assists on the season while also contributing 93 points. Her playmaking ability has been central to the Cougars' offensive efficiency.

Krista Langager has started all 10 games this season and provides a consistent presence in the lineup, averaging 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

In the most recent meeting between the two programs, Minnesota State dropped a 76-89 decision inside the Stewart Center. The Mavericks maintain a narrow 13-12 edge in the all time series and are 6-7 against the Cougars in road contests.