Mankato, Minn.—  In its first overtime game since 2009, Minnesota State suffered a 74-70 loss to Winona State in the Taylor Center.

The Mavericks struggled from the free throw line all night, finishing 6-of-14 from the stripe and failing to capitalize on a pair of free throws with two seconds left in regulation that would have gave them the lead.  In the final four minutes of the game MSU went just 4-of-9 from the stripe.

At the start of the game, MSU came out shooting 4-of-6 to jump to an early 9-2 lead.

Kirstin Nelson was on fire as she drilled three shots from beyond the arc in the first ten minutes as MSU jumped out 22-10. The sophomore guard shot 4-of-5 in the first half from three-point land and 5-of-9 in the game. Nelson finished with a career-high of 17 points, with 14 points in the first 14 minutes of the game.

The Warriors made a late 6-2 surge to cut the Minnesota State lead to 35-22 at the end of the first half.

Senior Andrea Walsh and sophomore Ali Wilkinson each pulled in four rebounds midway through the game. Walsh finished the half with seven points and a career-high 21 points in the game.

Minnesota State shot 15-of-29 for 52 percent in the first half, as Winona State would go 9-of-26 for 35 percent. MSU won the battle of the boards 18-13 in the half.

The Warriors would cut the Mavericks lead to 40-34 just over four minutes into the half, as they applied a full court press on MSU. A large part of the run was do from WSU leading scorer Michelle McDonald who dropped five points in that span, ending the day with 20 points.

As the pace of the game slowed down, Winona State would cut the MSU lead to 46-44, earning 22 points off turnovers on the day.

Walsh gave Minnesota State a jolt by knocking down a shot from downtown, putting the purple and gold up 51-46 with 6:55 remaining. WSU would retaliate by knocking down the next two ensuing possessions to put the score to 51-50.

From that point both teams went back and fourth going into the games final minutes.  With the score tied at 60 and two seconds left, junior center Laura Weber  went to the line with a chance to give MSU a late-game lead but both free throws rimmed out forcing overtime. 

In overtime, it came down to the glass as WSU scored five of its 14 points in overtime off offensive boards.

Walsh drained a long three-pointer with 37 seconds left to cut the Warrior lead to 69-67. Winona State nailed its free throws at the line to secure the 74-70 victory.                                    

Minnesota State shot 48 percent from the field, 42 percent from three-point land and 43 percent from the line. Winona State shot 48 percent from the floor, 29 percent from three-point land and 88 percent from the line.

MSU (10-8, 7-7 NSIC) will continue action tomorrow against Upper Iowa at 4 p.m., inside the Taylor Center.

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