BEMIDJI, Minn. --- #21 Minnesota State outlasted Bemidji State as it improved to 18-5 overall and 15-4 in NSIC action with a 73-54 win Friday night.

The Beavers didn't allow the Mavericks to jump out to a quick start as the two team battled to a 7-7 tie through the first three minutes of the contest before MSU went on an 11-0 run opening up an 18-7 lead with 14:46 remaining in the first half.

BSU, not to be outdone, responded with a 9-0 run of its own drawing within two points, 18-16 with 10:45 remaining in the opening frame. The Mavericks outscored the Beavers 21-11 in the final 10 minutes of the first half, taking a 39-27 lead into intermission.

A total of eight Mavericks made their way into the scoring column in the first 20 minutes of contest and were led by senior Karlee Gengenbacher as she recorded her fifth-straight game with double-digit points, finishing the half with 11 points.

Collectively, MSU connected on 36% (14-39) of its shots from the field, 25% (3-12) from behind the arc and 80% (8-10) from the charity stripe in the first half. The Beavers shot 33% (10-30) from the field, 27% (3-11) from deep and 67% (4-6) from the line. The Mavericks forced 13 first half Beaver turnovers, recording eight steals in the process.

The Beavers cut the Maverick lead to single digits for all of 15 seconds before the Mavericks surged on a 13-0 run, opening up a 22-point lead, 52-30 with 16:56 to play. BSU was unable to cut the Maverick deficit to much less than 20, as MSU cruised to the 73-54 win.

The Mavericks were led by Gengenbacher, who matched a season-high 21 points on an 8-14 (57%) showing from the field, including a mark of 2-4 (50%) from deep, junior Aubrey Davis netted 15 points and senior Ali Wilkinson rounded out the top-scorers with 10 points. Freshman Tyra Johnson added four blocks on the defensive end of the floor.

MSU connected on 37% (28-76) of its shots from the field, 25% (7-28) from behind the arc and 67% (10-15) from the charity stripe. BSU shot 33% (22-67) from the field, 24% (4-17) from deep and 46% (6-13) from the line and committed 20 turnovers allowing 11 Maverick steals.

The Mavericks return to action Saturday as they take on the Golden Eagles in Crookston, Minn., with the opening tip is slated for 4 p.m.

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