(MINOT, N.D.) – The Minot State women's basketball team will finish their regular season schedule this weekend with a two-game set at MSU Moorhead and Northern State.

The Beavers will face the Dragons on Friday, Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. and the Wolves on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m.

This weekend's slate of NSIC competition will solidify the final conference standings and set the schedule for the first round of the league tournament.

Series History
Friday's game marks the 30th overall meeting between MSU Moorhead and Minot State with the Dragons leading the all-time series, 24-5. In their last meeting, the MSUM beat Minot State 72-62 in Minot on Dec. 14, 2019. The Beavers haven't beaten MSU Moorhead since they swept the 2013-14 season series.
 
The game between Northern State and Minot State on Saturday marks the 38th overall meeting between the two teams. NSU leads the all-time series 31-6. In their last match-up, Northern State won by a score of 65-46 in Minot on Dec. 13, 2019. The Wolves have won eight consecutive games since Minot State's last win in 2015.

Beaver Tracks
Senior Leader: Mariah Payne has led the Beavers in scoring since the opening game of the season. The senior guard is currently averaging 17.8 points per contest and is shooting 42% from the field and 37% from three. Payne is among the conference's premier scorers as she ranks third in the league in scoring average.
 
Free Throw Freaks: Minot State is currently third in the NSIC in team free throw percentage at 77% for the entire group. The Beavers have made 268 free throw shots out of 349 attempts. Calli Delsman and Mariah Payne lead the Beavers from the stripe with percentages of 83% and 81%, respectively.
 
Spreading the Love: The Beaver women have been among the best in the league when assisting on baskets. Minot State ranks third in the NSIC in total team assists with 361 total dishes in their 24 games. The Beavers are averaging just over 15 assists per game. Mariah Payne is leading the Beavers in that category with 93 total assists and 4.0 assist per game. Payne's numbers are fifth-best in the NSIC.
 
Cleaning the Glass: The Beavers are currently second in the NSIC in rebounding margin. MSU averages 37.3 rebounds per game while their opponents grab 32.5 per game. The Beavers are also sixth in total rebounding average. Calli Delsman ranks tenth in the NSIC and leads Minot State with an average of 7.1 boards per game.

Scouting Report
MSU Moorhead- The Dragons are currently 16-11 overall and 11-9 in the NSIC. MSUM scores just over 68 points per game while shooting 42% as a team. Megan Hintz leads the Dragons in multiple categories including points per game (15.2), field goal percentage (52%), free throw percentage (88%), total rebounds (220), rebounding average (8.1), and blocked shots (24). Guard Natalie Steichen leads MSU Moorhead in both assists (99) and steals (32).
 
Northern State- The Wolves bring an overall record of 12-14 and NSIC record of 8-12 into the final weekend of the regular season. NSU scores roughly 63 points per game. The Wolves have two scorers averaging double-figures including Brianna Kusler (12.8 ppg) and Lexi Wadsworth (12.5 ppg). Kusler and Wadsworth also lead Northern State on the boards with 217 and 128, respectively. Kusler is a triple-threat for the Wolves, too, with a team-high 79 assists and 40 steals. Junior forward Joie Spier has been the premier defender for Northern with 13 blocks.