Box Score Topeka, Kan. –-- Minnesota State University women’s basketball team overcame a sluggish first half to earn its 26^th win of the season, as it downed Arkansas Tech 72-58 to advance to the NCAA Central Region Semifinals.
 
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team today,” said head coach Emilee Thiesse. “We didn’t come out to start the game as strong as we wanted to, but we were able to come together as a team and play team defense.”
 
The Mavericks took a 27-24 lead into intermission despite connecting on 8-of-32 (25%) of their shots from the field, 1-of-11 (9%) from behind the arc, but went 10-of-12 (83%) from the charity stripe. MSU out rebounded Arkansas Tech 25-15 in the opening frame and tallied nine first half steals.
 
Minnesota State was paced by junior #Steffaney Thomas# who netted eight first half points, senior #Jamelia Hudnell# added six points off of the bench, while junior Ali Wilkinson tallied six points, four rebounds and two steals.
 
The Mavericks would open the second half on a 12-4 scoring run opening up a 39-38 lead with 16:40 to play. The Golden Suns would battle back within nine, trailing 62-53 with 4:02 remaining. The Mavericks would end the game on a 9-5 run securing the 72-58 win, and advancing to the NCAA Central Region Semifinals.
 
Wilkinson led the Mavericks with her ninth double-double of the campaign, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds. She was joined in double-figures by Thomas who netted 13 points.
 
The Mavericks connected on 22-of-67 (33%) of their shots from the floor, 4-of-21 (19%) from behind the arc and 24-of-33 (73%) from the charity stripe. MSU committed 23 turnovers, but forced Arkansas Tech to commit 28 turnovers and blanked the Golden Suns from behind the arc.
 
Arkansas Tech was led by Roselis Silva who netted 19 of the Gold Suns 58 points.
 
Second-seeded Minnesota State will do battle with eighth-seeded Emporia State in the NCAA Central Region Semifinals tomorrow evening, tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.