Rochester, Minn. --- The #17 Minnesota State women’s basketball team could not defeat Augustana for the third time of the 2012-13 campaign, falling to the Vikings 81-73 in the conference title game, falling to 25-5 on the season.

The Mavericks found themselves in foul trouble, and down 28-20 with 7:18 to play in the first half, MSU would finish the frame on a 21-15 run but trailed Augustana 43-41 at the break. The Mavericks trailed 41-38 with less than five seconds remaining in the half, junior Steffaney Thomas would knock down a three-pointer with four seconds remaining, but Emily Schulte answered with a half-court shot as time expired.

Minnesota State connected on 16-of-38 (42%) of its shots from the field, 4-of-11 (36%) from downtown and 5-of-6 (83%) from the charity stripe, while the Vikings went 15-of-36 (42%) from the floor, 3-of-8 (38%) from behind the arc and 10-of-14 (71%) from the free throw line.

Thomas paced the Mavericks with 13 first half points and sophomoreJamie Bresnahan netted 10 points off the bench in the opening frame.

The Vikings quickly extended their lead to five in the opening minutes of the second half, MSU would go on a 9-0 run to take a 54-48 lead with 15 minutes to play. Augustana would take a 61-59 lead with 12 minutes remaining. The Mavericks came-up on the short-end falling 81-73.

The Mavericks were paced in the second half by junior Karlee Gengenbacher who netted 13 second-half points.

Gengenbacher led the Mavericks with 19 points, four rebounds and three steals. She was one of four Mavericks to reach double figures as she was joined by junior Ali Wilkinson, who posted 15 points and eight rebounds. Thomas finished with 13 and Bresnahan finished the contest with 10 points.

The Vikings were led by Emily Schulte who finished with 19 points. Schulte was named the tournament’s MVP.

Both Wilkinson and Thomas were named to the NSIC/Sanford Health All-Tournament team.

The Mavericks will learn their National Tournament pairings Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m., during the NCAA Selection Show.

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