MANKATO, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team downed U-Mary, 77-52, Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center. 

The Mavericks opened the game with a 8-3 run after a pair of free throws from Karina Schroeder at the 6:19 mark.  Minnesota State extended its lead to ten after Britney Scherber was able to find Taylor Klug on the perimeter for a triple to make the score 15-5. The Mavericks led after the opening quarter, 19-9. 

Minnesota State stayed in a rhythm offensively in the second quarter stretching its lead to 19, 30-11, after Scherber drove the lane for a layup with 4:57 on the clock. The Marauders struggled to keep up with the Maverick pace as Taylor Drost connected on a triple for the Mavericks to make the score 38-13 with 2:53 to play in the half. Minnesota State led at the intermission, 40-16. 

The Mavericks created their largest lead of the game, 53-24,  at the 5:06 mark of the third quarter after a Sammie Delzotto layup. The Marauders chipped the deficit down to 22, 62-40, with 1:43 to play in the quarter after a made three pointer. Minnesota State took a 66-40 advantage into the final quarter of play. 

Following a Claire Jordan steal, Delzotto was able to bury a jumper to push the Maverick edge to 28, 68-40, with 8:58 remaining. The Marauders were able to draw within 22, 71-49, after a pair of made free throws but would not able to cut the deficit down any further. Minnesota State closed out the remaining time to win the game, 77-52. 

The Mavericks collected a season-high 62 rebounds in comparison to the Marauders 34. In addition, the Minnesota State bench outscored the U-Mary bench, 30-13.

Schroeder recorded her first double-double of the season posting a season-best in both points (17) and rebounds (12). Delzotto netted 16 points while Klug added 13 points to round out the top performers. 

With the win, Minnesota State moves to 9-7 (5-7 NSIC) on the season. The Mavericks return to the floor on Jan. 20 at Sioux Falls. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.