Box Score   Mankato, Minn. --- Tenth-rated Minnesota State scored first, but could not hold off fifth-rated North Dakota in falling to UND 4-3 in Mankato Friday.

MSU opened up the scoring in the first period on a goal scored by freshman forward Teddy Blueger, who collected a rebound in front of the net off a shot by freshman forward Dylan Margonari and wristed a shot that went past North Dakota freshman goaltender Zane Gothberg at 14:57.

North Dakota answered back to tie the game at 1-1 in the second period on a goal scored by senior forward Carter Rowney, who deflected junior defenseman Dillion Simpson's shot at the point past MSU freshman goaltender Stephon Williams at 10:04. UND took a 2-1 lead on a shorthanded goal scored by sophomore forward Mark MacMillian, who stole the puck from Williams behind the net and wrapped a shot into a wide open net at 17:10. MSU countered quickly,  tying the game on the power play a shot  from senior Eriah Hayes at 17:27.

It became a 3-2 UND lead in the third period on a goal scored by sophomore forward Stephane Pattyn, who stole the puck in the neutral zone and ripped a shot that beat Williams low on the stick side at 06:46. North Dakota added an empty goal by freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi at 19:25 and SU made it a 4-3 game on a goal scored by freshman forward Taylor Herndon at 19:40. The goal scored by Herndon was his first career goal as a Maverick.

Minnesota State is now 21-11-3 overall and 15-11-1 in WCHA games on the season.

The Mavericks outshot North Dakota 40-20 on the night and were one-for-five on the power play, while North Dakota was zero-for-two in power play chances. The game was played in front of 4,618 fans at the Verizon Wireless Center.

MSU and North Dakota will close out the two-game series Saturday night with a 7:07 p.m. face-off scheduled in Mankato.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.