Sioux Falls, S.D. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell to Sioux Falls on Saturday evening in Sioux Falls, S.D., 99-76, after a dominate third quarter from USF.

At halftime, MSU was down just four to USF, 43-39, but in the third quarter things took a turn. In the third, the Cougars took the momentum in the game over the Mavericks as they outscored MSU in the period, 35-12, to give USF a commanding, 78-51, lead heading into the fourth quarter. In the quarter USF was on fire shooting as it barely missed from the field. The Cougars connected on 14-of-16 of their shots from the field.

In the fourth and final quarter it was more of the same for the Cougars as they kept things rolling and defeated the Mavericks 99-76.

In the beginning of the game, MSU found themselves down early as USF mustered off the first nine points of the game, before junior forward Karina Schroeder [Lake Crystal, Minn.] scored the Mavericks first bucket at the 7:05 mark in the quarter. The Mavericks were down, 27-15, after one quarter of play against the Cougars. MSU struggled shooting from the field as they connected on just 31% of its shots while USF finished the first quarter with an impressive 67% from the field. Schroeder and senior center McKenzie Hoelmenn [Lakeville, Minn.] each record four points in the quarter.

The second quarter it was a different story for the Mavericks as they rallied off 13 straight points from the first quarter to the 7:26 mark in the second quarter. MSU trimmed USF's double-digit lead to one, 27-26, as Schroeder added eight points during the run.

Throughout the rest of the quarter both teams traded baskets for a majority of the time heading into halftime. Even though the Mavericks were never able to find the lead in the first half, they only trailed by just four at halftime to the Cougars, 43-39.

With improved shooting in the second quarter, MSU finished off the first half with a 40% field goal percentage, while USF concluded the half with a 50% field goal percentage. Each team recorded seven turnovers apiece in the half, while USF was able to outrebound  MSU on the boards, 21-16.

Schroeder led the way for MSU in first half with 12 points and three rebounds, while junior point guard Britney Scherber [Bloomington, Minn.] tallied nine points, three rebounds and two assists. 

Overall, MSU ended the game with a 37% field-goal percentage, while USF finished the game with a very impressive 55% field-goal percentage. From beyond the arc, MSU shot 5-of-19, while USF shot 53% from three, 9-of-17. The Cougars outrebounded the Mavericks, 47-32, and also controlled the paint as they outscored MSU, 52-30, in points in the paint.

Schroeder set a new season-high with 17 points in the game and also added a team-high seven rebounds. Scherber finished with 15 points and four rebounds, while sophomore guard Madison Lee [Coon Rapids, Minn.] added nine points and three rebounds. 

With the loss, MSU's overall record drops to 6-12 overall and 5-9 in NSIC play.

The Mavericks will return home next weekend, as Northern State and MSU Moorhead will be next on the docket for the Purple and Gold. MSU will first take on NSU on Friday at 6:00 p.m., before turning its attention to MSUM on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Both games will be played at Taylor Center.