Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell to undefeated #11 Winona State on Saturday evening at Taylor Center, 74-59.
With the loss, the Mavericks overall record falls to 2-6 and 1-3 in conference play.
The first quarter of action saw four lead changes and two ties as the Mavericks utilized the three-point shot after nailing 4-of-7 of their attempts. Junior
Britney Scherber [Bloomington, Minn.] led the way for MSU in the first frame with seven points, while sophomore
Madison Lee [Coon Rapids, Minn.] contributed with four points and two assists. At the end of the first quarter, WSU held a 20-19 lead over MSU.
Winona State led 29-25 with 7:55 left before halftime and didn't score another point in the quarter until the 2:30 mark. The Mavericks went on 11-0 run during that span to give them their largest lead of the game over the Warriors, 36-29. However WSU quickly answered right back as they closed out the quarter on a 9-2 run to give the Warriors a 38-37 lead over the Mavericks at halftime. Lee added eight more points in the quarter including two three-pointers, while senior
McKenzie Hoelmenn [Lakeville, Minn.] chipped in with six points in the second frame.
At the break, MSU shot an even 40% (10-25) from the field and 54% (7-13) from beyond the arc, as WSU shot slightly better with a 41% (12-29) field-goal percentage, including 44% (4-9 from three. The Mavericks coughed the ball up 11 times in the first half, while the Warriors turned it over eight times. WSU tallied 10 points off turnovers in the half, while MSU added eight points of its off turnovers.
Lee led MSU at the break with 12 points and three assists and connected on 3-of-5 of her three-point attempts, Hoelmenn recorded eight points, five boards and two blocks.
Midway through the third, both teams were tied at 44-44 with 6:18, before the Warriors closed out the quarter on a 15-6 run to give them a 59-50 lead heading into the fourth. MSU was held to a 33% field-goal percentage, while WSU shot an efficient 53% from the field in third frame of action. The Warriors were also able to outrebound the Mavericks in the quarter 15-6.
In the fourth quarter the Warrior held strong to their lead, as the Mavericks were only able to close the WSU lead to seven, 63-56, with 6:07 left in the ball game. The Warriors went on to win the game, 74-59, over the Mavericks to stay perfect on the season.
Overall, the Mavericks shot just 29% from the field and connected on just two more three-pointers in the second half. The Warriors controlled the boards in the contest, with a 45-33 advantage over the Mavericks. MSU also got outscored 20-10 in the paint and 16-6 in second chance points in the game.
Hoelmenn led MSU in scoring in the game as she finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals, while Lee added 14 points and five assists in the loss. Scherber also finished the game in double figures with 10 points, as sophomore
Claire Jordan [Green Bay, Wis.] tallied seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Mavericks will host Concordia-St. Paul at Taylor Center next Saturday at 2:00 p.m., in a Saturday matinée NSIC showdown.
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