Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State University women’s basketball team improved to 5-0 on the season and 2-0 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference as they downed Winona State 76-68, behind a monster performance by junior forward Ali Wilkinson.

The first half was a back and forth battle until sophomore guard Ashley Olson connected on a three-point shot giving MSU a 14-12 lead with 10:30 remaining in the stanza.

Wilkinson paced the Mavericks in the first half as she tallied a team-high nine points. Seven different hoopsters were able to get in the scoring column in the opening half.

Winona State would end the first half on a 7-0 run in the final two minutes, knotting the score at 36-36 heading into halftime.

The Mavericks would answer the Warriors run as they opened the second half on a 16-6 run opening up a 52-42 lead with 15:05 remaining in regulation. MSU would open up a 61-49 lead with just under 10 minutes to play, and would sustain the double-digit lead until the closing seconds, when the Warriors drained a lay-up.

Minnesota State was led by Wilkinson who recorded 31 points and 10 rebounds, her 21^st career double-double, marking the first time a Maverick has scored 30 points since Jan. 18, 2011 when Jennie Noreen tallied 30 points against Southwest Minnesota State. The junior tandem of Alli Hoefer and Karlee Gengenbacher each scored eight points in the winning effort.

The Mavericks will return to action Saturday, as they host Upper Iowa University, tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Bresnan Arena.

For Assistant Coach Sander's post-game comments, click HERE.

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