Sioux Falls, S.D. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team began its NSIC opener with a double overtime loss to Augustana University on Friday evening by the score of 96-93.

In the back and forth contest there was 14 ties and 14 lead changes between both teams. MSU and Augie also utilized the three-point shot frequently, as both teams combined for 69 total three-point attempts. The Mavericks nailed 13 from beyond the arc, while the Vikings finished with 14 of their own.

Three Maverick players finished the game with double-doubles in Britney Scherber [Bloomington, Minn.], McKenzie Hoelmenn [Lakeville, Minn.] and Claire Ziegler [Mankato, Minn.]. Scherber led the way for the Mavericks in the losing effort as she posted 26 points and a career-high 11 assists. Hoelmenn recorded a game-high 14 rebounds along with 11 points, four blocks and three steals, while Ziegler chipped in with 10 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

After the two quarters of play Augie went into halftime with slim one-point lead, 38-37, over the Mavericks. Both teams had already hit five three's apiece, while the Maverick bench outscored the Vikings bench 17-7 in the first half. The Vikings held a 9-0 advantage on points off turnovers at the break as MSU coughed up the ball six times in the half.

At halftime, Hoelmenn had already grabbed seven boards while sophomore Claire Jordan [Green Bay, Wis.] led all MSU players with seven points.

Late in the third quarter the Mavericks held its largest lead of the game, 51-41, with 3:13 left in the quarter. MSU held on to its lead all the way till the 2:28 mark in the fourth quarter as AU took its first lead of the game, 69-68, since the 8:23 mark of the third quarter. Augie held a two-point lead over the Mavericks, 72-70, with less than minute left in regulation, before Ziegler hit a layup to tie the game back up at 72-72 to force the first overtime.

In the first overtime period, MSU took the first lead as sophomore Madison Lee [Coon Rapids, Minn.] nailed a three to give the Mavericks a 75-72 lead with 4:26 remaining.  Augie quickly retook its momentum in the period as the Vikings hit two straight three-pointers on their next two possession to give them a 78-75 lead with 3:59 left to play. AU led throughout the rest of the period as it looked like the Vikings would close out the game in the first overtime period, until Scherber came in the clutch and nailed a three-point tying shot with one second left on the game clock to send the game into double overtime at 84-84.

In second overtime period the Mavericks again would take the first lead, as they began the period on a 5-0 run, 89-84, after another made three from Lee and a layup from Ziegler. However, the Vikings quickly answered and retook the lead after two straight three-pointers to give them a 90-89 lead with 2:54 left in the game. Fast forward a minute later the game was all tied up for the 14^th time at 92-92 with 1:47 left. From that point on MSU managed to score just one point as the Vikings closed the door on the thriller with a 96-93 win over the Mavericks.

Overall MSU connected on 38% (33-88) of its field-goal attempts in the game, while AU finished slightly better with 41% (34-84) from the field. The Mavericks grabbed 55 total rebounds, while the Vikings grabbed one less with 54. Both teams tallied 30 points in the paint and also both tallied 14 made free-throws.

In total five Mavericks finished in double-figures in points, as Lee collected 16 points, three steals, three rebounds and connected on 4-of-10 her three-point attempts. Jordan also added 12 points, including two made three pointers. Junior Sammie Delzotto [Eagan, Minn.] tallied seven rebounds, six points, three assists and three steals, while junior Karina Schroeder [Lake Crystal, Minn.] pitched in with seven rebounds, six points, two blocks and two steals.

With the loss the Mavericks overall record falls to 1-4 and 0-1 in NSIC play.

MSU will return to action on Saturday, as it will travel to Wayne, Neb. to take on Wayne State. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.