Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The No. 21 Minnesota State women’s basketball team returned to Taylor Center looking to avenge its first loss of the season it suffered at the hands of the University of Sioux Falls as the Mavericks downed the Cougars 84-67 improving to 21-4 on the season and 17-4 in the circuit.
The Mavericks jumped out to a quick 12-3 lead, connecting on four of their first five shots of the contest. MSU led by as many as 15 before the Cougars went on a 12-2 run bringing the score to 27-22 with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
Minnesota State closed the opening stanza on a 14-6 lead taking a 41-28 lead into intermission.
Sophomore forward
Jamie Bresnahan paced the Mavericks in the first half, netting nine points while shooting 4-of-5 from the field. Eight Mavericks found their way into the scoring column in the first half, as MSU collectively connected on 16-of-33 (48.5%) of its shots from the floor, 4-of-12 (33%) from behind the arc and 5-of-6 (83%) from the charity stripe in the opening half.
The Mavericks continued their hot shooting in the second half and a pair of back-to-back three pointers by sophomore
Ashley Olson opened up a 23 point lead, 62-39 with 12:33 remaining in regulation.
The Cougars were able to cut the Maverick lead to 17, but fell by a score of 84-67. USF was led by junior Laura Johnson who finished the contest with 17 points.
Wilkinson paced MSU with 22 points. Wilkinson was one of four Mavericks to net double-digit points, as she was joined by the sophomore tandem of
Aubrey Davisand Bresnahan who finished with 14 points and 11 points, respectively. Junior
Steffaney Thomas added 13 points in the winning effort as well.
The Mavericks connected on 28-of-58 (48%) of their shots from the floor, 9-of-23 (39%) of their shots from behind the arc and 19-of-23 (83%) of their shots from the charity stripe. MSU forced USF to commit 21 turnovers while the Mavericks recorded eight steals.
Minnesota State will play its final regular-season contest of the 2012-13 campaign as it hosts Southwest Minnesota State, opening tip is slated for 4 p.m. at Taylor Center.
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