(MINOT, N.D.) – The Minot State women's basketball team will load the bus for another weekend of road contests in the NSIC. The Beavers will be tested this weekend when they visit two quality opponents from the conference's South Division. Minot State will face off against Augustana on Friday, Jan. 31 and Wayne State on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Series History
Friday's game marks the 12th overall meeting between Augustana and Minot State with the Vikings leading the all-time series, 10-1. In their last meeting, Augie defeated Minot State 70-52 in Minot on Feb. 1, 2019. Minot State has not beaten Augustana since the 2013-14 season.
 
The game between Wayne State and Minot State on Saturday marks the eighth overall meeting between the two teams. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 6-1. In their last match-up, Minot State won their first and only game against Wayne State 69-64 in Minot on Feb. 2, 2019.

Beaver Tracks
The Microwave: Mariah Payne has led the Beavers in scoring since the opening game of the season. The senior guard is currently averaging 18.5 points per contest and is shooting 43% from the field and 41% from three. Payne is among the conference's premier scorers as she ranks third in the league in scoring average. Payne's shooting percentages of 43% from the field and 41% from behind the arc also rank eighth and fourth, respectively.
 
From the Stripe: Minot State is currently fifth in the NSIC in team free throw percentage at 75% for the entire group. The Beavers have made 208 free throw shots out of 277 attempts. Mariah Payne leads the Beavers at the line with a 81% shooting percentage.
 
Sharing is Caring: The Beaver women have been among the best in the league when assisting on baskets. Minot State ranks sixth in the NSIC in total team assists with 255 total dishes in their 18 games. The Beavers are averaging just under 15 assists per game. Mariah Payne is leading the Beavers in that category with 53 total assists and 3.5 assist per game. Payne's numbers are eighth-best in the NSIC.
 
No, No, No: Sophomore center Anna Counts has been a rock-solid defender in the paint for the Beavers. Counts has been an excellent rim protector for MSU with an average of 1.3 blocks per game and 21 total stuffs. That stat ranks sixth in the NSIC. The Beavers rank tenth as a team in blocks with 41 total rejections and an average of 2.3 per game.
 
Glass Cleaners: The Beavers are currently third in the NSIC in rebounding margin. MSU averages 37.8 rebounds per game while their opponents grab 33.2 per game. The Beavers are also sixth in total rebounding average. 

Scouting Report
Augustana- The Vikings bring a respectable record of 11-7 overall and 7-7 in the league into the weekend. Augustana is averaging 70 points per game as a team. Three players average double-figure scoring including Vishe' Rabb (14.2), Abbu Hora (12.1), and Lauren Sees (10.6). Senior wing Hana Beyer leads the way on the glass with 5.7 boards per game and 102 total rebounds. Hora has recorded a team-high 41 assists and 36 steals. Forward Aislinn Duffy has blocked the most shots on the team with 10.
 
Wayne State- The Wildcats of Wayne State are currently 14-6 overall and 9-5 in the NSIC. Erin Norling leads WSC in scoring and ranks second in the conference with 19.2 ppg. Halley Busse and Brittany Bongartz also score more than ten points per game with 14.4 ppg and 12.1 ppg, respectively. Norling has scored her total on 45% shooting from the field. She is also tops on the team on the glass with a per game average of 8.1 rebounds. Busse has been the most unselfish player with a team-high 66 assists. Bongartz has blocked 29 shots to lead the squad. Josey Ryan has also been excellent defensively with 30 steals.