Women’s hoops closing in on best season since 2014

The Minnesota State women’s basketball team is set to take on Upper Iowa and Winona State this weekend for their final two games of the regular season. The Upper Iowa Peacocks are 7-17 overall and 4-14 in the NSIC while the Winona State Warriors are 12-12 overall and 9-11 in the NSIC. 

The Mavericks currently hold the number one spot in the NSIC South division and are one win away from clinching a first-round bye in the NSIC South division regular season championship. MSU is also two wins shy from reaching the 20 win mark, a feat they haven’t reached since 2014. 

Minnesota State is coming off a successful weekend against Wayne State and Augustana, where they outscored their opponents 175-130. Sophomore guard Taylor Theusch shined for the Mavericks by putting up 26 points in the two games.

The Mavs will travel to Fayette for the first time this season to take on the Peacocks at the Dorman Memorial Gymnasium. The two teams met once earlier this season in Mankato with the Mavericks taking that game 88-48. 

Sophomore guard Joey Batt led the Mavericks in scoring during that game with 19 points, with freshman Destinee Bursch following behind with 13. On the other side of the court, junior guard Brooke Evenson led the Peacocks in scoring during the first game with 13 points, while sophomore guard Callista Rochon-Baker followed closely behind with 10. 

For Upper Iowa, sophomore guard Lydia Haack leads the team in scoring this season with 300 points in 24 games played. Redshirt sophomore Jessica Musgrave is second on the team in scoring with 283 points in 23 games played.

For MSU, Joey Batt leads the team this season with 352 points in 23 games played. Freshman guard Destinee Bursch follows behind Batt with 273 points in 23 games played.

Tip off for Minnesota State vs. Upper Iowa women’s basketball is set for Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

For the second game, Minnesota State will return home to the Taylor Center to take on the Winona State Warriors. The Mavericks will recognize their five seniors with a special tribute for senior night. 

Both teams met earlier this season with MSU taking game one by a score of 76-67. Batt shined once again for the Mavericks with 17 points, with Bursch following closely behind with 16. 

For the Warriors, sophomore guard led in scoring in game one with 16 points. Senior forward Taylor Hustad was second in scoring during that game with 11 points. 

For Winona State, Hustad leads the team in scoring this season with 291 points in 22 games played. Senior guard Emily Kieck is second on the team in points this season with 272 in 24  games played. 

Tip off for Minnesota State vs. Winona State is Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m. 

Header photo: With a win against Upper Iowa on Thursday the Minnesota State women’s basketball team can clinch a first round bye in the NSIC tournament. (Emily Lansman/The Reporter)

Write to Karson Buelow at karson.buelow@mnsu.edu.