MOORHEAD, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell short at MSU Moorhead, 66-58, Friday evening. 

Both teams exchanged points in the opening minutes until the Mavericks snatched a 9-8 edge after Sammie Delzotto was able to bury a jumper with 6:09 on the clock. MSU Moorhead answered with a 7-0 run to create a 15-9 lead with 3:22 to play in the opening quarter. The Dragons held a 19-15 lead after one quarter of play. 

Britney Scherber quickly drew the Mavericks within three, 21-18, after she was able to convert on a three pointer. MSU Moorhead then went on to expand their lead to seven, 27-20, with 3:58 to play in the half. Scherber then found Delzotto for a jump shot to pull within five, 27-22, at the 2:53 mark. Minnesota State trailed at the half, 29-24. 

Claire Ziegler connected with Scherber on the perimeter for the triple to pull within one, 31-30, with 7:50 to play in the third quarter. Two possessions later, MSU Moorhead tacked on a three of their own to go up 34-30. The Dragons continued to apply pressure expanding the lead to 44-32 with 4:40 on the clock. Following a timeout, Taylor Klug knocked down a three to pull the Mavericks within nine, 44-35, at the 4:08 mark. MSU Moorhead led after three quarters of play, 48-41. 

The Dragons began the final quarter expanding their advantage into double digits, 53-43, with 7:57 remaining. After the media timeout, Scherber connected from downtown to give the Mavericks a spark and pull within nine, 56-47. Monica Muth then added to the late push with a jump shot, 56-49, with 3:11 to play. However, the dragons went on to close out the remaining minutes and win the game, 66-58. 

MSU Moorhead held the edge in rebounds, 39-34, while Minnesota State held the edge in assists, 13-5. The Mavericks shot 46.7% from the three point and the bench netted 18 points. 

Scherber posted a season-best 23 points while Ziegler pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds and added six assists. Klug came off the bench and contributed 10 points to round out the top performers. 

With the loss, Minnesota State moves to 7-3 (3-3 NSIC) on the season. The Mavericks return to the floor tomorrow at No. 25 Northern State. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.