#11 Mavericks back on road to face Golden Eagles and Beavers – Minnesota State University

Mankato, Minn.— #11 Minnesota State travels this weekend to Crookston, Minn. to face UMC on Friday at 5:30pm and Bemidji, Minn. to play BSU on Saturday at 3:30pm in NSIC action.

Last time:The Mavericks went 1-1 this weekend as they defeated St. Cloud State 86-61 on Friday night and fell to #23 Minnesota Duluth 75-78 on Saturday.

About Minnesota Crookston:The Golden Eagles are 8-8 (7-3 NSIC) coached by Mike Roysland, who is in his 17th season as head coach.

Minnesota Crookston is averaging 64.8 points and 38.3 rebounds per game this season while shooting .394 from the field.

Emma Miller leads the Golden Eagles with 17.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Alex Page is averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Saturday’s match is the 28th meeting between the teams. The last game between the Mavericks and the Golden Eagles was on February 26, 2020, when Minnesota State won at home 87-54. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 20-7.

About Bemidji State:The Beavers are 4-10 (1-9 NSIC) coached by Chelsea Stoltenberg, who is in her eighth season as head coach.

Bemidji State is averaging 60.0 points and 35.7 rebounds per game this season while shooting .381 from the field.

Trinity Yoder leads the Beavers with 14.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Ella Gilbertson is averaging 11.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Saturday’s match is the 52nd meeting between the teams. The last game between the Mavericks and Beavers was on January 14, 2022, when Minnesota State won at home 72-68. The Beavers lead the all-time series 36-15.

Statistics package:As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 85.1 points, 40.9 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 2.4 blocks and 16.8 steals per game. Junior Joey Batt has an average of 17.4 points, second year student Destinee Bursch is averaging 14.9 points per game as a freshman Natalie Bremer averages 14.1 points per game.

Preseason outlook:The Mavericks are picked to finish first in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, receiving a total of 216 points and eight first-place votes.

1,000 career points:Minnesota State JuniorJoey Battscored 31 points in MSU’s 80-71 win over UW-Parkside. Battista became the 23rd member of the Minnesota State 1000 Point Club. Batt, who ranks 17th on the all-time scoring list at Minnesota State with 1,164 points, 15th on the school’s all-time chart. Andrews scored 1,176 points during his Maverick career.

NSIC Player of the Week:FreshmanNatalie Bremerwas named NSIC South Division Player of the Week (December 5, 2022) for his performance in MSU’s two wins over Winona State and Upper Iowa. Bremer averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the two Maverick wins. Bremer scored 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, including 3-of-7 from the 3-point line against Winona State. In his first start of the season, Bremer had 19 points, six rebounds and three assists against Upper Iowa.

Minnesota State Junior Joey Batt was named NSIC South Division Player of the Week for his efforts against Augustana and Wayne State (12/12/22). Batt averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.0 rebounds on 56.0% shooting from the field in MSU’s two wins. Batt had 20 points and five assists against Augustana, followed by 15 points, five assists and five steals against Wayne State.

Minnesota State History:The 2022-23 season will be the 58th season in the history of the Minnesota State women’s basketball program, which dates back to 1966. During that span, the Mavericks own a record of 786-650 (.547).

Walking along side borders:The head coachEmilee Thiesseis her 11th season at the helm of MSU Women’s Basketball. He has compiled an overall record of 182-108 (.627), including three NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012-13, 2014-15 and 2021-22. In NSIC games, he owns a career record of 132-81 (.610).

Nationally speaking:Statistically, the Mavericks rank in several national divisions, including:

Total investment class

1. assist per game 16.8
2. turnover margin 11.36
5. goal-scoring offense 85.1
50th recycling per game 14.4
15th assists per game 17.0
22. input-exchange ratio 1.16
23rd winning percentage 85.7

Individually, the following Mavericks rank in the nation’s top 25:

Rank Name Class Total

2.Taylor Theusch(input/turnover ratio) 4.0
2.Joey Batt(inputs per game) 3.50
5.Joey Batt(to steal) 49

Home Sweet Home: Over the past four years, the Mavericks have posted a 35-7 (.83) winning percentage in the friendly confines of the Taylor Center.

Inside the polls:The Mavericks have been ranked in every WBCA poll this year, peaking at No. 4 on Dec. 13.

Pending:Minnesota State continues its NSIC schedule with Northern State on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m., and MSU Moorhead on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5:30 p.m.

-30-