Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- No. 13 Minnesota State women's basketball team uses a strong second half to down Winona State 67-59. 

With the win, MSU improves to 6-1 overall, and 3-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while WSU falls to 4-3 overall, 0-3 in conference play.  The Mavericks increased their home winning streak to a program-best 20 games. 

Winona state came out firing and took an early 8-0 lead.  Minnesota State wouldn't get on the board until the 14:50 mark when Ali Wilkinson (Blue Mounds, Wis.) found the bottom of the net. Wilkinson went on to score the next six points for MSU, and finished the half with 13 points and four rebounds. 

MSU was unable to find its rhythm from deep, not connecting on a three-point shot in the first 13 minutes of the contest.  The Mavericks connected on three three-pointers in the first half out of 17 attempts (18%) from behind the arc.  Total, MSU made 9-of-38 from the field (23%) in the first but only trailed 26-24 at half. 

The Mavericks were able to find their offensive rhythm in the second half, taking the lead at the 17:57 mark and never looked back.  The Mavericks shot 12-of-30 (40%) from the field in the second half and 9-of-21 (43%) from deep. 

MSU was led in the second half by Ashley Olson (Blue Earth, Minn.) and Tyra Johnson (Apple Valley, Minn.) who netted eight and nine points respectively.  Wilkinson finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, marking the 16^th time in her career she has eclipsed the 20-point threshold.

As a unit, the Mavericks connected on 21-of-68 (31%) of their shots from the field, shot 12-of-38 (32%) from behind the arc and 13-of-16 from the charity stripe. MSU forced 16 Winona State turnovers, while only committing six of its own.

The Mavericks will return to action as they travel to Wayne, Neb., to do battle with No. 22 Wayne State, with the opening tip slated for 6 p.m. Friday.