Sioux Falls shoots 62% from behind the arc to down the Mavericks 77-64

Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Minnesota State University women’s basketball team (7-1, 4-1 NSIC) closed the 2012 portion of its conference schedule with a 77-64 loss to the University of Sioux Falls (5-4, 2-3 NSIC) Saturday.

The Cougars made 13-of-21 (62%) of their shots from behind the three-point arc, while the Mavericks went 3-of-17 (18%) from deep.

The Mavericks sputtered in the opening minutes of the game, as they found themselves down 8-3, three minutes into the game before goning on a 12-0 run, opening up a 15-8 advantage.

Minnesota State had no answer in the first half for USF junior Laura Johnson, who finished the opening frame with 20 points, converting 6-of-7 (86%) of her shots from downtown in giving the Cougars a 33-27 advantage after the opening frame.

The Mavericks were led in the first half by junior Ali Wilkinson who tallied seven points and six rebounds. Collectively MSU shot 9-34 (26.5%) from the floor and 1-9 (11%) from behind the arc.

Sophomore Aubrey Davis showed her range in the opening seconds of the second half, as she knocked down a three-pointer to cut the Cougars lead in half. Sioux Falls then answered, as it went on a 16-3 run following the Davis three pointer.

The Mavericks trailed the Cougars 60-42 with 10:15 remaining and would cut the USF lead to 68-60 with 2:20 remaining in the game. That was as close as MSU would get as USF closed the game on a 9-4 run in earning the 77-64 victory.

Minnesota State was led by Wilkinson who recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds and was one of three Maverick scorers to reach double-digits. She was joined by sophomore Aubrey Davis who finished the contest with 12 points, while senior Jamelia Hudnell contributed 11 points.  The double-double was Wilkinson’s fourth of the season.

The Mavericks return to the hardwood for the final game of the 2012 portion of their schedule as they host Dakota State University  in a non-conference match-up Dec. 19 at Taylor Center. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

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