Mankato, Minn.— Ali Wilkinson and Laura Weber's double-doubles couldn't help MSU past St. Cloud State, as the Huskies beat MSU 71-70 inside the action packed Taylor Center. As if a buzzer-beater finish wasn’t good enough early this season, Minnesota State earned its eleventh loss with 0.2 seconds remaining.

In the beginning, the Mavericks jumped out to an early 9-2 lead as junior Weber had six points, three minutes and 35 seconds into the game. MSU completed a 13-0 run in the first five minutes of the game, holding a 13-2 lead.

12 of Minnesota State’s first 24 points were in the paint by Weber.

Minnesota State would widen its lead going on an 8-2 run to end the half, brewing a 43-34 halftime lead.

The Mavericks dominated the boards in the first half 28-13, as 13 of Minnesota State’s boards were offensive rebounds. Wilkinson and Weber would each finish the half with six boards. Wilkinson would earn her eleventh double-double of the season and Weber would produce her third double-double of the season.

Another part of the MSU’s big first half was shots from beyond the arc. Junior Jennie Noreen led the Mavericks in three-point shooting as she was 4-of –5, with MSU shooting 7-of-14 from downtown for 50 percent in the first half. The Huskies shot 1-of-11 for nine percent from downtown.

With two Mavericks in double-digits in the first half, MSU shot 44 percent from the floor, scoring 22 points in the paint and 14 points off the bench. SCSU scored 16 points in the paint and six points of the bench. The Huskies had a short bench tonight as they had just nine players suited up.

The Huskies opened the second half shrinking the MSU lead to three, due from a 10-4 St. Cloud State run in the first six minutes of the half.

SCSU’s Amanda Wagner nailed a shot from downtown to put St. Cloud back on top since the opening basket of the game. In the first six minutes and 34 seconds of the second half, Minnesota State was outscored 15-6 putting SCSU up 49-48 in the game.

Weber knotted the game at 52 on a lay-up at 11:39, as Noreen capitalized seconds later on a Husky turnover, putting the Mavericks back up two points.

St. Cloud’s second half surge was led by Talisha Barlow, as she ended the game shooting 6-of-11 for 19 points.

As Noreen was in foul trouble in the last ten minutes, freshman Alli Hoefer and senior Andrea Walsh took matters in their own hands, as each would  make lane-driving lay-ups, tying the game late in the second half.

With one minute and four seconds remaining, SCSU had the ball as the Mavericks led 70-69 and failed on a shot from downtown as the Mavericks retained possession. On the ensuing drive, St. Cloud’s Amanda Wagner went to the line with 21 seconds remaining and missed the free-throw, but the Huskies snagged the rebound with 19 seconds left in the game.

With the shot clock turned off, the Huskies held the ball until five seconds left and missed the shot as SCSU’s Jordi Gerking grabbed the rebound, getting fouled with 0.2 seconds remaining. Gerking knocked down both free-throws to give the Huskies a 71-70 victory.  

MSU was unable to make a field goal in the last six minutes of the game, as SCSU couldn't connect from the field in the last four minutes and 43 seconds. Minnesota State was 0-7 from downtown in the second half, shooting 38 percent from the floor. St. Cloud State shot 42 percent from the floor and 15-of-17 from the line for 88 percent.

Minnesota State’s Wilkinson earned her eleventh double-double of the season ending the game with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Weber added a double-double finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. This is the second time this season both players have had double-doubles in the same game.

Minnesota State (11-11, 8-10 NSIC) will continue play against Concordia Saturday at 4 p.m., inside the Taylor Center.

 Ali Wilkinson after 71-70 loss to St. Cloud State: