Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- Five Mavericks net double-digit points as the No. 17 Minnesota State women’s basketball team coasted to a 94-77 victory opening round victory in the NSIC Sanford Health Tournament over seventh-seeded Bemidji State.

The Mavericks took an eight point lead, 42-34 into intermission. MSU jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead off of three-pointers by sophomore Aubrey Davis and junior Ali Wilkinson, but the Beavers were able to battle back to a mark of 24-23 in favor of the Mavericks with 8:05 to play in the opening frame.

Davis led all-scorers in the first half with 15 points, while connecting on 5-of-5 from the floor and 3-of-3 from behind the arc. Collectively the Mavericks connected on 15-of-33 (45%) from the floor and 4-of-10 (40%) from behind the arc in the first stanza.

The Mavericks extended their lead to 10, 67-57 with 10:31 remaining in the game and didn’t look back as they earned the 94-77 win.

Minnesota State was represented in the scoring column by eight Mavericks who contributed to the opening round win, led by Davis who finished with 18 points. Wilkinson finished with 17 points, senior Jameila Hudnell and junior Karlee Gengenbacher each netted 16 points while junior Steffaney Thomas finished with 12 points.

The Mavericks connected on 34-of-66 (52%) of their shots from the floor, 7-of-19 (36%) from behind the arc while going 19-of-27 from the charity stripe. MSU forced the Beavers to commit 23 turnovers while holding BSU to 6-of-18 from behind the arc.

Minnesota State will host Minnesota State University-Moorhead in the second round of the NSIC Sanford Health Tournament Saturday at Taylor Center, tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.

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