Joplin, Mo. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell to Missouri Southern State in its season opening game, 70-58 on Wednesday evening. 

After one quarter of play the Mavericks were down just one, 21-20 to the Lions. In the second quater MSSU took control as they outscored MSU 16-8 in the second quarter to give the Lions a 37-28 halftime lead over the Mavericks.

Through one half of play, MSU shot 42% [13-41] from the field, while MSSU connected on 50% [15-30] of its shots. The Mavericks outscored the Lions 6-2 off turnovers, while MSU was outscored 28-20 in the paint and 17-8 off the bench.

Sophomore Claire Ziegler [Mankato, Minn.] led MSU at the break with eight points and three rebounds, while junior Sammie Delzotto [Eagan, Minn.] added four points, two rebounds and two assists.

In the third quarter, the Mavericks narrowed the Lions lead to three, 39-36, with 7:11 left remaining in the quarter. MSSU repsonded quickly and went on a 6-0 run to a 45-36 lead over the Mavericks with 4:59 left in the third. At the end of three quarters, MSU was down seven, 50-43, to MSSU.

In the fourth quarter, the Mavericks again were able to cut the Lions lead to three, 52-49 with 6:05 remaining in the contest. However, that was the closest MSU would get to the lead, as MSSU took its first double-digit lead, 63-53, with 1:41 left in the game. The Lions held on to their lead and won 70-58 over the Mavericks.

MSU was held to 29% [8-28] from the field and shot just 16% [1-6] from the three-point line in the second half.

Sophomore Madison Lee [Coon Rapids, Minn.] led MSU in second half with 10 points, while McKenzie Hoelmenn [Lakeville, Minn.] collected five points and seven rebounds in the half.

Overall, Lee and Ziegler each posted 12 points apiece in the loss, while Ziegler added seven rebounds as well. Freshman Taylor Paulsrud [Rogers, Minn.] added eight points and two steals, while Hoelmenn ended the game shy of double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds. 

The Mavericks will return to action Thursday as they will take on Missouri Western State in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.