WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team hosts Minnesota State - Mankato this afternoon when they take on the Mavericks in a 3:30pm game which will be the second of two in a full week of action in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) South Division. The Mavericks come into McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court having yet to lose in 2021-22.
The Warriors (4-2, 1-1 NSIC) will take on the Mavericks (6-0, 2-0 NSIC) looking to put a dent in MSU-Mankato's unbeaten record and with an eye on moving above .500 in NSIC play. Head coach
Scott Ballard and Winona State will look to defend home court in their second NSIC contest in the past 48 hours.
Read on for more regarding the Winona State women's basketball team as they take on the MSU-Mankato today at home.
Who: Winona State University women's basketball vs. Minnesota State
What: The Warriors (4-2, 1-1 NSIC South) will face the Mavericks (6-0, 2-0 NSIC South) in the third league game for both teams.
When: Saturday, Dec 4, with a 3:30pm CST start.
Where: McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court on the campus of Winona State University.
Warriors - Mavericks Notables:
At 4-2, Winona State is one of four NSIC Southern Division squads with four wins heading into this week's competitions, while MSU-Mankato is the only unbeaten team in either Division of the NSIC.
Seven of the eight NSIC Southern Division women's programs are at or above .500 at this point in the season. In contrast, the NSIC North has four programs sub-.500.
Winona State has two players - Emma Fee and Taylor Hustad - currently in the NSIC Top-25 in scoring. Fee is averaging 12.6 ppg, while Hustad is at 12.0 ppg.
Taylor Hustad is 14th in the NSIC heading into this weekend's play in rebounding, averaging 6.6 boards a game; Lauren Fech is averaging 31.2 minutes per game, the 12th most in the NSIC.
Emma Fee is leading the league in field goal percentage, hitting at a 63.8% clip. Fee is the only NSIC athlete above .600, currently. Hustad is 8th in the same category, hitting exactly 50% of her shots so far.
Caitlin Riley is tied for 8th in the NSIC in 3-point FG average per game at 1.8 each contest; her teammate Hustad is tied for 21st in the league in steals at 1.6 per game.
Emily Kieck is 22nd in the NSIC in assists per game, dishing out 2.4 helpers each contest, while Ava Sergio is 8th in the league in blocked shots, averaging one per game.
Emma Fee's 24 point game vs. NW Missouri is tied for 7th among top single-game outputs this year; Hustad's 23 vs. Upper Iowa is tied for 8th best.
At 6-0, MSU-Mankato is the last unbeaten team in the NSIC and sits atop the South Division with that mark.
Like CSP, the Mavericks used the Thanksgiving holiday to travel to warmer climates, playing two games in San Antonio, Texas. There, they beat Texas A&M Kingsville, 78-59, and St. Mary's (Texas), 81-72.
The Mavericks dipped their toe into Division I competition this year, taking on Drake in an exhibition contest at the beginning of the year. Drake beat MSU-Mankato, 83-58.
In terms of regular-season games, the Mavericks have won by 10 points or more in each of their six victories.
Joey Batt leads the Mavericks in scoring with 102 points already on the season. She is 24-of-28 from the free-throw line, and 8-of-16 from behind the arc. Her 150 minutes played are tops on the team.
Emily Russo has hauled in 30 rebounds so far this year, with an impressive split of 15 offensive and 15 defensive boards.
Other than Batt, no Maverick has hit double-digits on free-throws made this season. Batt and Rylee Menster each have 14 assists so far this year.
MSU has earned two wins at home and three on the road. Over the NSIC split-site weekend, MSU will host Upper Iowa on Friday before traveling to Winona State on Saturday.
Despite their stellar record so far, the Mavericks did not appear in the Nov. 30 WBCA poll; UMD & SCSU are receiving votes, as is University of the Sciences.
MSU-Mankato is 41-23 vs. Winona State in their last 64 matchups.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please
visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
