Box Score Topeka, Kan. -- Minnesota State University women’s basketball team had its season come to an end at the hands of the Emporia State Hornets, falling in the NCAA Central Region Semifinal, 69-67, dropping to 26-6 on the year.
 
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team’s effort tonight and throughout the season,” said head coach Emilee Thiesse. “This group of seniors who played their last game has contributed so much to our program in their time here and have helped lay a solid foundation for years to come.”
 
The Mavericks came out firing as they opened up an 8-2 lead with 17:30 remaining in the opening frame. Emporia State would battle back cutting the Minnesota State lead to one point, 28-27 in favor of the Mavericks heading into intermission.
 
Minnesota State was able to limit its first half turnovers, committing seven turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play, while the swarming Maverick defense forcing the Hornets into 12 turnovers while the Mavericks tallied six steals.
 
Junior Karlee Gengenbacher got the Mavericks going, netting Minnesota State’s first five points, while sophomore Aubrey Davis led the charge tallying eight points, four rebounds and a pair of steals in the first half.
 
The Mavericks started the second half on a 4-0 run before the Hornets answered with a 4-0 run of their own, eventually bringing the game to a 47-47 tie with 10:26 remaining. The final 10 minutes of the contest would see a see-saw battle before Emporia opened up a 68-64 lead with 2:10 remaining in regulation. The deficit would prove insurmountable, as the Mavericks fell 69-67 at the final buzzer.
 
Senior Jamelia Hudnell led the Mavericks off of the bench tallying 13 points, including a run of nine straight Maverick points early in the second half. She was joined in double figures by Davis and junior Ali Wilkinson who each netted 11 points.
 
As a unit Minnesota State converted on 24-of-61 (39%) from the field, 4-of-17 (24%) from behind the arc and 15-of-24 (63%) from the charity stripe, and forced the Hornets to commit 21 turnovers.
 
Emporia State was led by junior Laura Patrick who netted 18 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Mavericks finished their 2012-13 campaign with a 26-6 record, posting the second-most wins in program history.