Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- Despite a sluggish start, the No. 21 Minnesota State women’s basketball team finished its 2012-13 campaign with an overall record of 22-4 and 18-4 in the NSIC, with an 80-62 win over Southwest Minnesota State, earning a second place finish in the league.

Junior Karlee Gengenbacher paced the Mavericks in the opening stanza with 13 points while connecting on 6-of-7 of her shots from the floor. Junior Alli Hoefer finished the half with six of the Mavericks nine first half helpers.

Collectively MSU converted on 15-of-31 (48%) of its shots from the floor and 4-of-10 (40%) of its shots from behind the arc, while the Mustangs connected on 16-of-25 (64%) of their shots in the first half.

The Mavericks came out firing in the second half, opening with a 6-2 run in the first three minutes of the stanza , eventually extending it to a 20-7 run, taking a 58-41 lead with under 13 minutes to play. The Mustangs couldn’t overcome the deficit, eventually falling 80-62

There were four Mavericks that reached double-figures, led by Gengenbacher who finished with 18 points. Junior Steffaney Thomas and sophomore Aubrey Davis netted 14 points, while junior Ali Wilkinson finished with 10 points. Hoefer finished the game with eight assists.

Minnesota State connected on 31-of-61 (51%) of its shots from the floor, 10-of-24 (42%) from behind the arc and 8-of-11 (73%) while forcing the Mustangs to commit 27 turnovers.

The Mavericks will host the seventh-seeded Bemidji State in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament, Wednesday Feb. 27 with tip-off slated for 6 p.m.
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