Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – The Mavericks shook off their lackluster first half Saturday afternoon as they outscored Winona State, 43-22 in the second half en route to the 66-55 victory at the Taylor Center.
 
After playing to a tie at 22 with 3:48 remaining in the first half, Winona State closed the half on an 11-1 run as it went into the break with a 33-23 lead.
 
The Mavericks offense struggled from the field in the first half as it didn’t connect on a field goal attempt for the final 3:48 while going 9-of-27 (33.3 FG%) including 0-for-5 from long range.
 
Winona State was sparked in the first half by four three-pointers from Becca Friestleben.  She finished the first half with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists.
 
Minnesota State gradually chipped away at the Warriors lead early in the second half cutting its lead to single-digits at the 14:48 mark as senior guard Jennie Noreen connected on a three making the score 41-32.
 
With the momentum on their side, the Mavericks finally regained the lead at the 9:30 mark courtesy of a jumper from Noreen.
 
Minnesota State would extend its lead to double-digits in the middle of the second half converting field goal opportunities on three-straight Warrior turnovers.
 
There would be no comeback for the Warriors, who fell to 7-4 overall and 2-3 in the NSIC, as Minnesota State converted on 11-of-12 free throw attempts over the course of the game’s final two minutes including a 6-of-7 performance from freshman guard Aubrey Davis.
 
Davis finished the game with a season-high 18 points on a 5-of-11 shooting performance including 8-of-11 from the charity stripe.
 
Noreen finished with a game-high 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting while also adding four assists, three rebounds and four steals.
 
Freshman forward Jamie Bresnahan led MSU with seven rebounds while also adding eight points.  Joining Bresnahan with eight points was senior forward Laura Weber who finished 4-of-6 from the floor while pulling down six rebounds.
 
MSU finished the game 43.8 percent from the floor compared to 38.0 percent from Winona State.  The Mavericks were outrebounded, 38-30, but turned the ball over just 11 times compared to 20 by the Warriors.  MSU turned the 20 Warrior turnovers into 21 points.
 
Minnesota State (7-3, 3-3 NSIC) returns to action Jan. 2 when it travels to face MSU Moorhead.  Tip-off for the Mavericks first game of 2012 is scheduled for 6 p.m.