Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The No. 20 Minnesota State women's basketball team erased a 10 point deficit at halftime to earn its 20th win of the season, prevailing 82-72 over the University of Sioux Falls.

The Mavericks outscored the Cougars 49-29 in the second half to improve to 20-5 overall and 17-4 in NSIC action. With the loss, USF falls to 12-13 overall and 8-13 on the circuit.

The Mavericks jumped out to an early 13-6 lead five minutes into the contest before the Cougars embarked on a 15-2 run, opening up a 21-15 USF lead with 11:33 remaining in the first half. The Mavericks used a 9-2 run to hold a brief 24-23 lead before USF outscored them 20-9 to end the half, taking a 43-33 lead into intermission.

Senior Ali Wilkinson was the only Maverick to make an impact in the scoring column, finishing the half with a team-high 10 points in only eight minutes of work. The junior tandem of Aubrey Davis and Jamie Bresnahan each snagged four rebounds for the Purple and Gold in the opening frame.

The Mavericks connected on 34% (13-28) of their shots from the field, 18% (2-11) from deep and 71% (5-7) from the charity stripe and committed eight first half turnovers. The Cougars connected at a 44% (16-26) clip from the field, 36% (4-11) from deep and 64% (7-11) from the stripe and committed 10 first half turnovers.

The Mavericks came out of the locker room firing in the second-half outscoring the cougars 32-13 in the first 10 minutes of second half to open a 65-56 lead with just over nine minutes to play. USF would come within four points, 73-69 but the Maverick offense proved too powerful as MSU was able to capture the 82-72 win.

MSU connected on 55% (18-33) of its shots from the field, 55% (6-11) from deep in the second half to erase the Cougar lead.

Wilkinson paced the Mavericks with a team-high 20 points on an 8-11 (72%) showing from the field, including a 2-of-3 showing from behind the arc. Fellow senior Karlee Gengenbacher netted 16 points and Bresnahan finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

As a unit, the Maverick shot 44% (31-71) from the field, 36% (8-22) from deep and 55% (12-22) from the charity stripe. The Cougars connected on 39% (27-69) of their shots from the field, 33% (8-24) from behind the arc and 59% (10-17) from the stripe. MSU forced 19 USF turnovers and recorded seven steals in the process.

MSU returns to action Saturday in its regular season finale as it does battle with Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn., opening tip is slated for 5 p.m.