Box Score  
MANKATO, Minn. --- No. 23 Minnesota State used another strong first half to down Southwest Minnesota State 85-63 improving to 16-5 overall with a mark of 13-4 in NSIC action.
 
The Mavericks only allowed two SMSU field goals in the opening eight minutes of the contest, jumping out to an early 21-5 with 12:00 to play in the first half. The Mavericks used another hot start to take a 48-22 lead into intermission, scoring 25 points off of 15 Mustang turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game.
 
MSU was led by senior Ali Wilkinson (Blue Mounds, Wis.) who netted nine first half points and was one of six Mavericks to score at least five points in the first 20 minutes of the contest. Senior Karlee Gengenbacher(Quincy, Ill.) and freshman Britney Scherber (Bloomington, Minn.) each posted seven points in the first half.
 
The Mavericks connected on 56% (19-34) of their shots from the field, 20% (2-10) from behind the arc and 80% (8-10) from the charity stripe. The Mustangs connected on 33% (8-24) of their field goals, 50% (4-8) from deep and went 2-of-2 at the line, but committed 15 first half turnovers.
 
The Mustangs opened the second half on a 10-4 run and kept the offensive pressure on the Mavericks, cutting the Maverick lead to 16, 58-42 with 12:35 remaining in the game.
 
SMSU cleaned up its offensive effort, cutting the Maverick lead to nine points at 68-59 with 5:12 remaining in the contest, forcing MSU to use a timeout. MSU responded with a 6-0 run out of the timeout and ended the contest on a 17-4 run to earn the 85-63 win.
 
A total of four Mavericks contributed double-digit points, led by Gengenbacher, who netted a team-high 16 points. Wilkinson finished with 15, junior Jamie Bresnahan (Bloomington, Minn.) added 13 points and Scherber rounded out the top-scorers finishing with 10 points off of the bench.
 
Collectively, MSU connected on 49% (32-65), of its shots from the field, 33% (7-21) from behind the arc and 89% (14-16) from the charity stripe and recorded 15 steals on 21 SMSU turnovers. The Mustangs connected on 48% (27-56) of their shots 36% (5-14) from behind the arc and 80% (4-5) from the charity stripe.
 
The Mavericks complete the home portion of their regular season schedule as they host the University of Sioux Falls Saturday, opening tip is slated for 4 p.m.