Moorhead, Minn. --- The 11th-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks fell short to the Dragons of MSU Moorhead Sunday afternoon, 82-74.

The Mavericks sophomore forward Laura Weber won the tip-off for the Mavericks, but missed the opening shot as Moorhead opened up with a three-point shot.  Senior guard Tiffany Moe scored the first jumper for the Mavericks on the following possession. The Mavericks stayed in a heated battle with the Dragons throughout the first half with the Dragons leading by six points at the 10 minute mark of the first half.

The Dragons went on a seven-point scoring spree to increase their lead to 13 points with 7:28 left in the half. The Mavericks stayed in battling back with the Dragons as they exchanged shots, not allowing the Dragons to increase their lead. To finish out the half Moe hit a jumper at the buzzer to end the half with a 10 point deficit, 44-34.

Minnesota State was led in the first half by senior forward Liz Trauger with 13 points and four rebounds and sophomore guard Jennie Noreen with seven points for the Mavericks. At the half the Mavericks were shooting 43.8 percent from the field and taking six steals from the Dragons.

The Mavericks started the second half as Moe scored a jumper off a Dragon turnover. As the Dragons turned around and went on a 10 point scoring spree on the Mavericks taking their biggest lead by 18 points. Minnesota State fought back going on an 11-2 shooting spree to cut the Dragon lead to nine points with 12 minutes left in the game.

The Mavericks turned on the pressure as the Dragons started to slip up and turn the ball over. With the Mavericks shooting turning up the heat, Trauger scored a three at the 4:42 mark to cut the Dragon lead to two points and tie her career-high of 20 points. The Mavericks were in foul trouble as the Dragons put down 10 free throw shots in the last three minutes, to end the close battle, 82-74.  

Minnesota State shot 44.8 percent from the field as the Dragons 90 percent shooting at the line hurt the Mavericks in foul trouble.

Maverick leaders were; Trauger with 20 points, six rebounds, Moe with 13 points, and freshman guard Sarah Wiens with 11 points. The Mavericks were outrebounded 41-27.

The Mavericks now 8-4 overall and 3-2 in the NSIC continue their road trip next weekend as they travel to Fayette, Iowa to take on the Peacocks of Upper Iowa, Friday at 6 p.m.

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