Marshall, Minn.  –  The Minnesota State women's basketball team ended its regular season on a winning note, as the Mavericks topped Southwest Minnesota State by the score of 83-64 on Saturday evening.

With the win, the Mavericks finish the regular season with a 19-8 overall record and a 16-6 record in NSIC play

The Mavericks jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Mustangs within the first three minutes of the game. With the first media timeout of the half at the 14:40 mark, the Mavericks extended their lead to 13 over the Mustangs, 15-2. At that point, seniors Lexie Ulfers and Ashley Olson already had six and five points, respectively.

For the majority for the rest of the first half, the Mavericks would lead comfortably over the Mustangs with a double-digit lead, until the 4:29 mark. The Mustangs cut the Mavericks lead back to single-digits and got as close as six points to the lead, 33-27, with 4:10 left before halftime.

However, MSU answered right back as it went into halftime on a 8-2 run, to put the Mavericks up, 41-29, over the Mustangs at the break.

In the first half, the Mavericks shot a sizzling 52% (16-31) from the field, compared to the Mustangs 33% (8-24). MSU outscored SMSU in the paint, 22-10, and points off turnovers, 14-6.

Ulfers and Olson both went into halftime with 12 points to lead the Mavericks at the break. Junior center McKenzie Hoelmenn added seven points, two assists and two steals in the first half.

In the second half it was very much of the same as it was in the first half for MSU. SMSU would pull within single-digits, 44-36, at the 14:57 mark in the second half, but that would be the closest the Mustangs got to the lead for the rest of the game. 

For the next three minutes or so the Mavericks would pull away for good as they would go on a 12-2 run to put MSU up, 56-38, with 11 minutes to play in the second half. In the end, MSU went on to win, 83-64, over the SMSU. 

As a team, the Mavericks shot 50% (29-58) from the field in the game and were able to dish out 17 assists and force 18 Mustang turnovers. MSU was also able to control the paint as it outscored SMSU in the paint, 42-24, and in fastbreak points, 13-4.

Seven Mavericks scored at least seven points in the game, led by Ulfers who finished the contest a point shy from tying her career-high with 21 points, five rebounds and four blocks. Olson ended the night with 14 points and five steals, while senior guard Aubrey Davis notched 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals. Hoelmenn added nine points, as senior forward Jamie Bresnahan and sophomore guard Britney Scherber each tallied eight points of their own and sophomore guard Sammie Delzotto posted seven points, seven boards and five assists in the win.

The Mavericks will return back to action on Wednesday, as they will play host to Minot State at Taylor Center. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will mark as the first round of the NSIC/ Sanford Health Basketball Championship Tournament.