Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women’s basketball team (17-4, 13-4 NSIC) returned to action as it looked to extend their five game win streak, playing host to Bemidji State (8-11, 4-11 NSIC). The Mavericks used a 9-0 run to start the second half to surge past the Beavers 69-59.

MSU jumped out to a quick 5-0 start before the Beavers battled to cut the MSU lead to four, 12-8 with 15:35 remaining in the half. BSU would then go on a 10-0 run, taking an 18-12 lead with 11:15 to play in the half.

Minnesota State would find its offensive rhythm, taking a 31-27 lead into intermission and were paced by junior Steffaney Thomas who netted seven first half points.

The Mavericks converted on 11-of-31 (35%)of their shots from the floor, and 3-of-9 (33%) from behind the arc. MSU was out-rebounded by the Beavers 24-18 but forced BSU to commit 10 first half turnovers.

Minnesota State started the second half on a 9-0 run and wouldn’t look back as it scored 38 second half points to come away with the 69-59 win.
Gengenbacher came out of intermission firing as she netted five points in the first 1:45 of the second half, extending the Maverick lead to 36-27 with 18:15 remaining in the contest. The Mavericks would open up a 10 point lead, 58-46 with 6:59 remaining, the lead proved to be too much for the
Beavers.

Collectively, Minnesota State connected on 23-of-54 (43%) of its shots from the floor, 6-of-15 (40%) from behind the arc and 17-of-29 (59%) from the charity stripe. The Mavericks held the Beavers to a pedestrian 2-of-13 from downtown and forced BSU to commit 19 turnovers.

Minnesota State used a balanced attack to down the Beavers as 9-of-10 Mavericks who saw action netted points, paced by the junior tandem of Karlee Gengenbacher and Steffaney Thomas who each contributed 13 points. Junior Allie Hoefer netted 12 points and sophomore Aubrey Davis finished the game with 10 points.

The Mavericks wrap up their two game homestand as they play host to the University of Minnesota, Crookston tomorrow afternoon, tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Taylor Center
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