MARSHALL, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team used a strong second half to down Southwest Minnesota State, 87-70, Saturday night at R/A Facility. 

With the win, the Mavericks move to 10-8, including a 6-8 NSIC record. With the loss, Southwest Minnesota State falls to 2-16, including a 2-12 league record. 

The Mavericks opened the game with an aggressive full court press defense which led to a 16-10 edge after Logan Anderson found Karina Schroeder in the lane for a layup at the 3:30 mark. The Mustangs surged back to steal the lead, 17-16, after connecting on a three from the corner. Minnesota State trailed after the first quarter, 24-21. 

Southwest Minnesota State built their advantage up to five, 29-24, by the 8:43 mark. The Mustangs continued to find offense from downtown with a triple to extend its lead, 35-26. Ashley Reed answered for the Mavericks to drive the lane for a layup, 37-30, and force a SMSU timeout with 1:39 to play in the half. Southwest Minnesota State led at the break, 39-30. The difference in the first half came from three point range as the Mustangs shot 54.5% (6-11) while the Mavericks only connected on one triple (1-11). 

The Mavericks came out of the locker room controlling the pace with a 8-3 run to pull within four, 42-38, before a timeout. Minnesota State continued to apply full court defensive pressure to lead to a game-tying layup from Reed, 45-45, at the 4:07 mark. Later in the quarter, the Mavericks recaptured the lead after a pair of Schroeder free throws to make the score 50-48. Sammie Delzotto then stole the momentum with a triple, 56-49, with 46 seconds remaining in the quarter. Minnesota State led after three quarters, 58-53. 

The Mavericks did not let off the gas extending its advantage into double digits, 68-57, after a Taylor Klug jumper with 6:31 remaining. Southwest Minnesota State continued to struggle with turnovers throughout the final quarter. Minnesota State was able to capitalize on those mistakes as Britney Scherber found Monica Muth behind the arc for a triple to stretch the lead to 11, 71-60, with 5:50 remaining. The Mustangs would not be able to cut into the lead any further as the Mavericks went on to win the game, 87-70. 

Minnesota State held the edge in rebounds, 42-31. SMSU posted 26 turnovers in comparison to MSU's 12. Additionally, the Maverick bench netted 41 points. 

Junior Claire Ziegler recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and team-best 11 rebounds. Klug matched a season-high 18 points off the bench while Schroeder also matched a season-best 17 points to round out the top performers.  

The Mavericks return to action on Jan. 27 at Minnesota Crookston. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.