Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State earned its seventh-consecutive victory Friday night at the Taylor Center as the Mavericks defeated the visiting Northern State University Wolves, 62-59.
 
Northern State would jump ahead early shooting 11-of-27 (40.7 FG%) in the first half as it opened a 24-14 lead after the game’s first 14 minutes.
 
A strategic change would turn the tide for MSU as a pressure zone applied by the Maverick defense changed the momentum for the remainder of the first half.  Northern State scored just two points in the final six minutes before the break as MSU went on a 9-2 run cutting the deficit to just three at halftime.
 
After trading baskets early in the second half, MSU finally regained the lead for the first time since the first minute of the game when it led, 2-0, as junior guard Jameila Hudnell recorded a steal and converted on the offensive end giving the Mavericks the 32-30 lead.
 
Minnesota State continued to frustrate the Wolves offense with its pressure defense as senior guard Jennie Noreen forced one of nine second-half NSU turnovers before finishing with a layup which gave MSU its first double-digit lead at 52-41.
 
However, the Wolves fought back from the 11-point deficit as they went on a 16-8 run cutting the Mavericks lead to just one point at 58-7.
 
Despite the comeback attempt, he Mavericks and freshman guard Aubrey Davis would not surrender the lead as Davis went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line over the final 23 seconds sealing the 62-59 victory.
 
Three Mavericks finished in double-figures with senior forward Laura Weber leading the way with 14 points on 7-of-10 from the field.  Hudnell finished the night with 11 points, including a 6-of-8 performance from the free-throw line, while Noreen rounded out the trio in double-digits with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting.
 
Davis tied a season-high with eight assists, all in the second half, while adding five points and a steal.  MSU was led on the glass by Weber with nine while both Davis and freshman forward Jamie Bresnahan each added five boards.
 
MSU held a slight shooting percentage advantage, 42.3-39.1, while recording seven more assists (17-10) and four more steals (7-3).  Northern State outrebounded MSU as a team, 37-33, while the loss dropped the Wolves to 9-7 overall and 5-6 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.   
 
Tomorrow the Mavericks (11-3, 7-3 NSIC) return to action at the Taylor Center against the University of Mary.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.