This Week in Women’s Basketball...

After opening the season with seven consecutive contests away from Dorman Gym, the UIU Women’s Basketball team opens the home portion of the 2010-11 schedule while closing out the 2010 calendar year this weekend by hosting a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games in Fayette.  On Friday, Minnesota State visits Dorman Gym before Southwest Minnesota State makes the trip to Fayette on Saturday.  Tipoff for both matchups is set for 6 p.m.

Scouting the Mavericks

The Minnesota State Mavericks enter Friday’s matchup with a 4-4 record overall and a 1-3 mark in NSIC action.  The Mavericks lost their first three league tilts of the season before putting a notch in the win column last Saturday night when they defeated St. Cloud State, 54-51 in St. Cloud.

The Mavericks are paced by sophomore forward Ali Wilkinson’s 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.  As a team, MSU has the 12th best scoring offense in the league (59.5 points per game) and are the worst free throw shooting team in the NSIC (55.3%).

However, Friday’s opponents are the second-best offensive rebounding team in the NSIC as they average just over 13 (13.38) offensive boards per outing.

Scouting the Mustangs

Southwest Minnesota State enters Friday’s matchup with Winona State carrying a 2-6 record overall which includes a 1-3 mark in NSIC contests and have lost three in a row after winning their first NSIC contest of the year, 63-56, versus Augustana on December 3rd.

The Mustangs are paced by junior center Abby Kenealy (11.9 points per game) and junior guard Taylor Voss (11.0 ppg). 

On average, SMSU is the worst shooting team in the NSIC (36.2% FG%) and allow their opponents to convert on the second-most three point buckets in the league (36.2%).

Series History

Upper Iowa is 0-3 against Minnesota State and 2-5 when playing Southwest Minnesota State since transitioning to NCAA Division II.

The last time UIU defeated Southwest Minnesota State was on February 10, 2007 in Fayette.  Amanda Faas scored 21 points as Upper Iowa defeated the visitors, 78-69.

The Last Meeting

The Peacocks and Mavericks last met on January 8, 2010 in Fayette.  MSU won the matchup 97-64.

A night later, the Peacocks and Mustangs met in Fayette where Southwest Minnesota State took the matchup, 80-54.

Live Stats and Web Cast

Live stats and a web cast will be available for both games.  Visit upperiowaathletics.com for further details.

What a Win Would Mean...

A win this weekend would...

...be Upper Iowa’s first victory since January 27, 2010.

...be the first victory at home for the Peacock women since December 28, 2009.

...be UIU’s first NSIC victory since defeating Bemidji State on December 13, 2008.

...mark the first home NSIC victory for UIU since defeating Northern State on January 26, 2008.

...be UIU’s first victory over the Mavericks in women’s basketball since the Peacocks became a member of NCAA Division II.

Looking Ahead

The Peacocks will now have some time off before opening the 2011 calendar year at home with a pair of NSIC contests to ring in the new year. 

On Saturday, January 1 the Peacocks host Northern State at 6 p.m. before welcoming U-Mary to Fayette on Sunday, January 2 for a 6 p.m. showdown.