Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The 24th-rated Minnesota State women’s basketball team returned to the friendly confines of the Taylor Center as it faced conference foe Northern State, as the Mavericks came away with a 71-47 win over Northern State.

The Mavericks set the tempo of the game early in the first half as they jumped out to a 19-6 lead nine minutes into the contest. Sophomore forward Jamie Bresnahan led the charge, scoring seven of the Mavericks first 19 points.

Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the opening stanza, as MSU finished the half shooting 37% (13-35) from the floor, 22% (4-18) from behind that arc and 57% (4-7) from the charity stripe. The Wolves posted a 30% (7-23) shooting effort from the floor and shot 50% (1-2) from downtown.

Minnesota State used a balanced scoring attack to earn an early lead, as six Mavericks found their way into the scoring column in the first half led by Bresnahan who finished the half with nine points.

The Mavericks kept their foot on the pedal in the second as they led by as many as 28 points.  A bucket by Anna Leloux at the 14:17 mark gave MSU a 20-point lead and it never looked back.

Ali Wilkinson recorded a game-high 12 points and also chipped in with six rebounds, along with a block and a steal. Bresnahan was the only other Maverick in double figures, as she contributed 10 points.

Minnesota State picked up its shooting in the second half, as they converted on 27-59 (46%) of its shots from the floor, 8-27 (30%) from behind the arc and went 9-15 (60%) from the free throw line. The Mavericks held the Wolves to a dismal 35% from the floor, 33% from behind the arc and 38% from the charity stripe.

The Mavericks will return to action tomorrow, as they host MSU Moorhead, tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.