MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State women's basketball concludes its home schedule for the 2025 calendar year with two NSIC games at the Taylor Center. The Mavericks welcome Wayne State on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and return to action Saturday, Dec. 13 for a 7:30 p.m. meeting with Augustana.
About the Mavericks
Head Coach Emilee Thiesse has guided Minnesota State to a 9–0 start, marking the program's best opening stretch since the 2022–23 campaign when the Mavericks began the season 10–0. MSU entered last week ranked No. 2 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, trailing only Grand Valley State, which has held the unanimous No. 1 position throughout the season. The Mavericks have also taken early control of the NSIC, opening conference play 3–0 and sitting atop the standings alongside unbeaten Sioux Falls and Minnesota Duluth.
Minnesota State opened the week on the road, grinding out its narrowest win of the season with an 87–80 victory over Winona State. MSU shot .507 from the field and .350 from three while converting 6-of-8 attempts at the free-throw line.
The Mavericks then returned to the Taylor Center and delivered their first ranked win of the year, rolling past then-No. 24 Concordia-St. Paul, 104–66. Thirteen Mavericks scored in the victory as MSU shot .468 overall, .471 from beyond the arc, and .846 at the line. The bench contributed 34 points in one of the team's most balanced offensive performances of the season.
MSU enters the week averaging 99.3 points per game, outscoring opponents by an average of 29 points. The Mavericks are shooting .486 from the field, .348 from deep, and .788 at the free-throw line. As a team, MSU is posting 41.2 rebounds, 17.7 assists, 19.1 turnovers, 21.1 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game.
Natalie Bremer continued her strong start to the season with 22 points against Winona State before adding 18 more in the Mavericks' ranked win over Concordia St. Paul. The senior guard is averaging 20.6 points per game, placing her fourth in the NSIC and eighth nationally with 185 total points through MSU's 9-0 start. She added an assist and two steals in each contest, contributing to Minnesota State's nation leading 21.1 steals per game. Bremer shot .552 from the field and .778 at the line across the week and was honored as the NSIC South Division Player of the Week for the second straight time.
Senior guard Hannah Herzig also played a key role, continuing to establish herself as one of the NSIC's most disruptive defenders. She leads the conference in steals per game with an average of three and ranks thirteenth nationally with 27 total steals. Herzig delivered a career best 19 points in the win over the Golden Bears, shooting five of eight from the field, three of three from beyond the arc, and a perfect six of six at the free throw line. She added three blocks and three steals, showcasing her ability to impact both ends of the floor.
Elisabeth Gadient provided an important offensive lift, especially in the road win at Winona State. She energized the Mavericks with 19 points on seven of fourteen shooting, including a pair of three pointers, helping MSU produce needed scoring in one of its closest games of the season.
In the frontcourt, Ava Stier made her presence felt on the boards during the victory over CSP. She collected 13 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end, creating second chance opportunities and helping the Mavericks maintain control throughout the game.
Rhyan Holmgren continues to bring consistency as a two way contributor, ranking seventh in the NSIC in free throw percentage at 85 percent. She added 12 points and three steals in the win over WSU, again providing efficient scoring and strong defensive pressure.
About the Wildcats
Wayne State enters Thursday's matchup with a 6–3 record and a 1–2 mark in NSIC play. The Wildcats are looking to bounce back after a pair of conference losses, falling 54–77 to Sioux Falls and 58–84 to Southwest Minnesota State. Their lone conference win came in a double-overtime matchup against Augustana, where they pulled out a 78–76 victory at home. Wayne State is led by first-year head coach Brian Ortmeier.
The Wildcats average 68.4 points per game while shooting .406 from the field, .352 from three, and .627 at the line. As a team, they collect 39.6 rebounds per contest along with 13.6 assists, 16.3 turnovers, 10.3 steals, and 3.8 blocks.
Senior Rachel Dahlen leads the team with 120 points and 10 blocks through nine games, averaging 13.3 points per game on .449 shooting. Kylah vanDonkersgoed has started every game this season and contributes 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per outing.
Graduate senior Tenleigh Smith adds 9.7 points per game and leads the Wildcats with 23 assists. Smith posted 26 points last week across two conference games, shooting 10-of-18 from the field.
Minnesota State has won nine straight games against Wayne State, including a 96–56 win in their most recent meeting in Feb. 2025. The Mavericks hold an 11–8 record against the Wildcats at home, and the all-time series is tied 20–20.
About the Vikings
Augustana enters the week seeking to halt a two game slide following a 75-47 loss to Southwest Minnesota State and a 76-66 setback at Sioux Falls. The Vikings stand at 3-5 overall and remain in search of their first NSIC victory after an 0-3 start to conference play. Their most recent win came on Dec. 2, a decisive 106-47 result over North Central.
The program is led by head coach Nate Vogel, who is in his second season guiding the Vikings. In his first full year at Augustana, Vogel posted a 6-22 overall record, including a 4-18 mark in conference competition.
Statistically, Augustana is averaging 72.4 points per game while shooting .406 from the field, .348 from three point range, and .654 at the free throw line. The Vikings also record 42.4 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 17.5 turnovers, 9.9 steals, and 2.4 blocks per contest.
Woodbury, Minn. native Isabella Sanneh leads the team with 135 points on the season, averaging 16.9 per game. She posted 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals in the matchup against SMSU.
Additionally, Maliyah Elliott has made consistent two way contributions, pacing the Vikings with 28 assists while adding 14 steals across nine appearances.
Minnesota State enters the matchup having won the last eight meetings in the series, including a 96-70 victory in Dec. 2024. Augustana, however, holds a 52-37 advantage in the all time series and leads 21-20 in games played at the Taylor Center.
