Mankato, Minn.— Minnesota State junior Jennie Noreen scored her career-high 31 points to boost Mavericks the past Southwest Minnesota State 69-46. Noreen put down 13 in the first half, which passed her season-high of 12. The last player to score 30 points in a game was Noreen’s sister, Jo Noreen.

 

Southwest opened the game with a three-pointer on its first possession, as MSU rallied to with a 6-0 run together to jump back on top of  SMSU 6-3 with 16:53 remaining.

 

As each team traded baskets throughout the first ten minutes, the score was knotted up at 14 halfway through the first half.

 

The Mavericks pulled away as they went on another 6-0 run, sparked by Kirstin Nelson who knocked down two free throws and a long jumper to put MSU up 20-14 with 8:54 remaining. Nelson scored seven points off the bench for MSU.

 

The Mustangs struggled in the last 7:42 of the first half as they were unable to score, giving Minnesota State a 32-21 halftime lead.

 

The Mavericks shot 39.3% from the field in the first half, as Southwest Minnesota State shot 23 percent.

 

Noreen picked right up where she left off in the second half scoring eight points in the first seven minutes to put the Mavericks up 48-34 on the Mustangs. Minnesota State led by a minimum of nine throughout the rest of the game.

 

“Whenever we’re at home it’s important to take care of business, especially with a tough road trip up ahead of us. These wins are important because we need to be above a .500 team and keep string some wins together,” said Head Coach Pam Gohl.

 

MSU outshot SMSU 42-24 percent through the game and outrebounded the Mustangs 69-46. Mustang senior forward Tori Fink knocked down 23 points with 10 rebounds.Noreen finished shooting 10-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 at the line.

 

Sophomore forward Ali Wilkinson finished the day with her third-straight double-double and seventh of the season, ending with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

 

Minnesota State (8-5, 5-4 NSIC) extends its winning streak to at three games after beating the Mustangs 69-4. MSU will hit the road next weekend when it will take on Northern State on Friday at 6 p.m.