SPEARFISH, S. D. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team outlasted Black Hills State, 71-67, Friday evening at Young Center in front of 559 fans. 

The Yellow Jackets took advantage of home court with a quick 7-1 lead. Senior Sammie Delzotto was then able to net back-to-back free throws to draw MSU within four, 7-3. Blacks Hills State responded to go on a 7-0 run and increased their lead to 14-3 at the 3:32 mark. The Mavericks then began to find offensive rhythm with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit down to five, 14-9, with :39 seconds to play in the quarter. Minnesota State trailed, 16-11, after the opening frame. 

The Mavericks opened the second quarter with a 8-2 run highlighted by a Britney Scherber triple to steal a 19-18 edge with 7:33 to play in the half. Both teams went on to exchange points until the Yellow Jackets managed to lock the game at 26 at the 3:11 mark. Minnesota State trailed at the intermission, 31-29. 

Following the break, the Mavericks fought back to tie the game at 34 after a Scherber lay up. Minnesota State then captured momentum with a 7-0 run highlighted by a Taylor Klug  lay up  to take a 41-34 lead with 6:07 remaining in the quarter. Black Hills State stormed back to tie the game at 43 with 2:42 to play. The Mavericks closed the quarter with a strong 7-0 run to take a 50-43 advantage into the fourth quarter. 

Both teams traded points until Claire Ziegler was able to knock down a jumper to give Minnesota State a eight point, 60-52, lead with 5:02 to play. The Yellow Jackets once again mounted a comeback to deadlock the game at 63 with 2:10 on the clock. Taylor Drost was then able to find Delzotto on the perimeter for three to give the Mavericks a 66-63 edge with 1:24 to play. Minnesota State went on to close out the remaining time to pick up a 71-67 win. 

The Mavericks held the edge in rebounds (39-33) and posted a 60.0 three point percentage (9-15). 

Delzotto led Minnesota State with a game-high 19 points. Sophomore Monica Muth contributed a team-best eight rebounds and added 10 points. Scherber rounded out the top performers with a team-leading five assists and netted 13 points. 

With the win, Minnesota State moves to 3-0 (0-0 NSIC) on the season. The Mavericks will open conference play when it travels to Wayne State on Dec. 2. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.