Box Score Bismarck, N.D. --- The Minnesota State University women’s basketball team (15-4, 11-4 NSIC) took to the road as it embarked on the longest road trip of the season to date, as it traveled to Bismarck, N.D. to do battle with the University of Mary (13-8, 8-7 NSIC), the Mavericks downed the Marauders 65-61 in an overtime thriller.
 
The Mavericks were able to jump out to an early 8-4 lead, five minutes into the contest, after an old-fashioned three point play by junior forward Ali Wilkinson. Minnesota State was able to extend its lead to 17-12 with just over ten minutes to play in the first half, forcing the Marauders to use a timeout.
 
Minnesota State took a 35-23 lead into intermission as it was led in the first half by junior guard Karlee Gengenbacher who tallied nine points, sophomore guard Aubrey Davis contributed eight first half points, three rebounds and an assist.
 
Collectively the Mavericks connected on 12-of-39 of their shots from the field in the opening frame, while converting on just 2-of-9 from behind the arc, but were able to make 9-of-13 of their shots from the charity stripe.
 
The University of Mary would battle back in the second half as they brought the game to a 55-55 tie with six seconds remaining in the second half. The Mavericks would get the final shot of regulation, but came up short, leading to overtime.
 
Wilkinson would net the first points of the free frame, with 3:34 remaining in overtime Davis would step to the line and convert on 1-of-2 of her attempts from the stripe, giving the Mavericks a 58-55 lead.
 
The Mavericks would outscore the Marauders 10-6 in the overtime session earning their 15 win of the season. MSU connected on just 21-of-78 (27%) of its shots from the floor, 3-of-16 (19%) of its shots from behind the arc but drained 20-of-28 of its shots from the charity stripe, earning the 65-61 win.
 
Minnesota State was led in the game by Davis and Wilkinson who each finished the game with 13 points, Wilkinson added 10 rebounds in her seventh double-double of the 2012-13 campaign. Gengenbacher was the only other Maverick to reach double figures, she netted 11 points.
 
The Mavericks will return to action Saturday, as they travel to Minot, N.D. to face the Minot State Beavers for the first time in program history, tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.