SIOUX FALLS, S.D. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell to Augustana ,89-80, Saturday evening at Sioux Falls Arena. 

Minnesota State got off to a fast start with a 7-2 run highlighted by a Mackenzie Dahl lay up at the 5:59 mark. The Vikings retaliated to steal their first lead of the game, 8-7. On the following possession Taylor Klug knocked down a lay up to retake the lead, 9-8, with 2:36 on the clock. Augustana closed the quarter growing their advantage to ten, 22-12. 

The Vikings continued to find the bottom of the net in the second quarter increasing their lead to 34-19 forcing a Maverick time out. Minnesota State fought back to draw within 10, 36-26, after Sammie Delzotto was able to find Ashley Reed in the paint for the lay up with 4:46 remaining in the quarter. The Mavericks headed into the locker room trailing at the half, 48-33.

Minnesota State came out in the second half battling back to chip the deficit down to nine, 54-45, after a Claire Ziegler lay up at the 6:23 mark. The Vikings answered rapidly building their advantage back up to double digits, 58-45, before the media time out. The Mavericks closed the quarter picking up the tempo to pull within 10, 62-52, following a Britney Scherber triple. Augustana closed out the final minute to take a  62-52 advantage into the fourth quarter. 

The Vikings added to their lead with a 13-2 run to go up 75-54 with 7:01 remaining. Minnesota State made a late push to cut the lead down to 12, 81-69, after Monica Muth was able to create a steal and finish with a lay up at the 2:57 mark. However, Augustana went on to close out the remaining time and pick up the win, 89-80. 

Minnesota State held the edge in rebounds (48-36). Additionally, the MSU bench contributed 20 points. 

Ziegler led the Mavericks with a season-high 20 points and added eight rebounds. Delzotto netted 19 points and dished out five assists. Freshman Rachel Shumski pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and notched nine points to round out the top performers.

With the loss, Minnesota State moves to 4-1 (1-1 NSIC) on the season. The Mavericks will return to Taylor Center on Dec. 9 to take on Winona State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.