St. Paul, Minn.— The Minnesota State women’s basketball team met Concordia inside the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul Friday evening with both teams searching for their first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory. It would not be a good night for the visitors however as the host Golden Bears – who never trailed – came away with a 79-64 victory despite a 16-point, 15-rebound effort by MSU junior forward Laura Weber.

The Golden Bears jumped out to a 6-0 run to start the game, with four points coming off free throws. Weber connected on the post to put the Mavericks on the board just over two minutes into the game.

With five minutes remaining in the first half MSU found themselves trying to claw back as Lauren Barber nailed a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 33-22 with 5:01remaining.

At the end of the half, Minnesota State found itself down 29-45. Weber ended the first half with eight points and eight boards, while sophomore Ali Wilkinson added nine points with five rebounds. Twenty-two of 29 points for MSU points were in the paint in the half.

The Golden Bears ran a press on the Mavericks creating 15 turnovers in the half.

Senior guard Andrea Walsh opened the half with some fire from downtown that ignited 6-0 run to start the stanza. Both teams traded baskets throughout the second half however but Minnesota State could not chip away at the CU advantage.

 Weber and  Wilkinson each recorded a double-double but that wasn’t enough. Weber’s second double-double was her second of the season,  while Wilkinsons’s 11-point, 10-rebound effort marked her third double-double of the year.

A key factor came down to free throws, as Concordia was 18-21 at the line, while MSU was 7-13.

Minnesota State is currently 3-4 and 0-3 in NSIC play. The Mavericks will travel west to St. Cloud State as they try and end their four-game skid. Tipoff set for 4 p.m.