Box Score MANKATO, Minn. --- No. 23 Minnesota State finishes the regular season with an 11-1 home record as it downed the University of Sioux Falls, 79-52 Saturday in Taylor Center.
 
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 17-5 overall and 14-4 in NSIC action, while the Cougars fall to 12-10 overall with a mark of 8-10 on the circuit.
 
The Cougars tested the Mavericks in the opening frame, not allowing MSU to race out to another hot start. The Mavericks led 23-19 with 4:35 to play in the first half, before they went on a 14-5 run to end the half.  MSU forced 15 USF turnovers, recording seven steals in the opening 20 minutes of the contest, allowing the Mavericks to net 13 points off of the Cougar turnovers. 
 
Senior Karlee Gengenbacher (Quincy, Ill.) paced the Mavericks in the opening frame, connecting on 55% (5-9) of her shots from the field, including a perfect four-of-four from the charity stripe to net a team-high 14 first half points.
 
The Mavericks connected on 35% (12-34) of their shots from the field, 25% (3-12) from behind the arc, but were able to connect on a perfect 10-of-10 shots from the charity stripe. The Cougars connected on a 30% (9-30) clip from the field, including a 33% (4-12) mark from behind the arc and 33% (2-6) from the line. 
 
USF clawed its way back into the game during the second half, cutting the Maverick deficit to nine points at 45-36 with 13:15 to play. MSU would have nothing to do with it, as it responded with a 10-3 run, opening up a 55-39 lead with 10:42 to play. The Mavericks pushed their lead to 20, 68-48 with less than five minutes to play. The lead proved insurmountable for USF as MSU earned the 79-52 win.
 
The Mavericks were led by Gengenbacher, who posted a season-high 21 points coming one point shy of her career-best 22 points; she also tied her career-best seven rebounds. The senior duo of Ali Wilkinson (Blue Mounds, Wis.) and Alli Hoefer (Plymouth Minn.) added 12 points and 11 points, respectively. Freshman Sammie Delzotto (Eagan, Minn.) poured in 11 points off of the bench, while junior Jamie Bresnahan (Edina, Minn.) hauled in a team-high 10 rebounds. 
 
MSU connected on 35% (24-68) of its shots from the field, 29% (6-21) from behind the arc and 89% (25-28) from the charity, forcing 22 Cougar turnovers and recorded 11 steals. USF connected on 27% (17-63) of its shots from the field, 30% (8-27) from behind the arc and 46% (10-22) from the charity stripe. The Mavericks owned a 50-46 advantage on the glass.
 
The Mavericks take the road for the final four games of the regular season beginning next Friday as they travel to Bemidji, Minn., to do battle with Bemidji State, opening tip is slated for 6 p.m.
 
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