(MINOT, N.D.) – The Minot State women's basketball team will be hosting the Winona State Warriors and Upper Iowa Peacocks for the final inter-divisional games of the regular season.

The Beavers will square off against Winona State on Friday, Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m. and UIU on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3:30 p.m.

Series History
Friday's game marks the 10th overall meeting between Winona State and Minot State with the Warriors leading the all-time series, 6-3. In their last meeting, Winona State beat the Beavers 63-57 in Winona, Minn. on Feb. 27, 2019. The Warriors are currently on a three-game winning streak versus MSU.
 
The game between Upper Iowa and Minot State on Saturday marks the ninth overall meeting between the two teams. The Beavers lead the all-time series 7-1. In their last match-up, Minot State won by a score of 72-69 in Fayette, Iowa on Feb. 9, 2019. The Peacocks recorded their only win in the series in January of 2017.

Beaver Tracks
Super, Scintillating, Sensational: Mariah Payne has led the Beavers in scoring since the opening game of the season. The senior guard is currently averaging 18.2 points per contest and is shooting 42% from the field and 39% from three. Payne is among the conference's premier scorers as she ranks third in the league in scoring average.
 
Living Free: Minot State is currently fifth in the NSIC in team free throw percentage at 75% for the entire group. The Beavers have made 219 free throw shots out of 292 attempts. Mariah Payne leads the Beavers at the line with a 79% shooting percentage.
 
Feeling Generous: 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 289 total dishes in their 20 games. The Beavers are averaging just under 15 assists per game. Mariah Payne is leading the Beavers in that category with 67 total assists and 3.5 assist per game. Payne's numbers are eighth-best in the NSIC.
 
Block Party: 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 1.4 blocks per game and 27 total stuffs. That stat ranks fifth in the NSIC. The Beavers rank tenth as a team in blocks with 48 total rejections and an average of 2.4 per game.
 
Glass Cleaners: The Beavers are currently third in the NSIC in rebounding margin. MSU averages 38.2 rebounds per game while their opponents grab 33.2 per game. The Beavers are also sixth in total rebounding average.

Scouting Report
Winona State The Warriros are currently 14-6 overall and 10-6 in the NSIC. Winona State is averaging 71.5 points per game as a team. Junior Taylor Hustad and Allie Pickrain lead the Warriors in scoring with averages of 15.1 ppg and 11.3 ppg, respectively. Hustad also leads the team in rebounding with 174 total and 8.7 boards per game and has accomplished her scoring averages on 57% shooting from the field. Guard Emily Kieck leads Winona State with 93 assists and 26 steals. 

Upper Iowa The Peacocks of Upper Iowa University bring a 3-19 overall record and 2-13 mark in league play into the weekend. UIU is averaging nearly 57 points per contest as a team. The Peacocks' Jessica Musgrave is the only player on the team with a scoring average in double-figures at 14.3. Musgrave also leads the Peacocks in rebounding with 140 total boards and 6.4 per game as well as steals with 22. Guard Marina Peinado Balaguer has a team-best 62 assists while forward Bekka Pierson leads Upper Iowa in blocks with 10.