Box Score ROCHESTER, Minn. – Minnesota State’s conference tournament run came to an end Saturday afternoon as the Mavericks fell to Wayne State, 58-35, at Taylor Arena in the semifinals of the NSIC/Sanford Health Women’s Basketball Tournament.
 
Both teams struggled early combining for just four points while committing six turnovers in the game’s first four and a half minutes.
 
Wayne State was able to break out of its scoreless streak first taking a 7-2 lead as the Mavericks made just one field goal in first seven minutes.
 
MSU eventually found some offense in the half taking a 16-13 lead with 6:30 remaining as freshman guard Aubrey Davis scored five consecutive points for the Mavericks.
 
However, the Wildcats would steal the momentum for the remainder of the half going on a 9-1 run and took a 22-17 lead into the break.  Both teams made just seven field goals in the first half as MSU shot 22.6 percent from the field compared to 21.9 percent by WSC.  Only three Mavericks found the scoring column in the half as Davis led the way with nine while senior forward Laura Weber and freshman forward Jamie Bresnahan each scored four.
 
Wayne State put aside its shooting woes early in the second half connecting on a trio of three pointers, two by Clare Duwelius and one from Ali Schwartzwald, giving the Wildcats a 20-point lead at 40-20.
 
MSU scored just three points in the first 11:30 of the second half as Wayne State gained the upper hand and took control of the game.
 
The Wildcats offense was much more efficient in the second half connecting on 4-of-8 (50.0 3FG%) three pointers while MSU continued to struggle from the floor shooting just 15.6 percent.  The Mavericks also struggled from the charity stripe making just 7-of-18 (38.9 FT%) for the game compared to 13-of-17 (76.5 FT%) by the Wildcats.
 
Wayne State’s Ashley Arlen made her presence felt in the second as she finished the game with 13 points while also pulling down 12 rebounds.  Duwelius finished the game with 11 points including a 3-of-8 performance from downtown.
 
The Mavericks were led by Davis who scored 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting while also pulling down six rebounds.  Bresnahan led MSU on the glass with 11 rebounds while Weber finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.
 
MSU shot just 19.0 percent from the floor while its 35 points marked a season low.  Both teams finished with 48 rebounds and 14 turnovers while WSC held a 26-10 advantage in points in the paint.
 
The win improves Wayne State’s overall record to 28-2 as the Wildcats will face the winner of the Augustana U-Mary game in the NSIC/Sanford Health Women’s Basketball Tournament championship tomorrow at 2 p.m.
 
Minnesota State (18-10 overall) will learn its NCAA tournament fate tomorrow at 9 p.m., when the Division II Women’s Basketball Selection Show announces the tournament field.