WINONA, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team upset #23 Winona State, 78-71, at McCown Gymnasium in front of 1209 fans. 

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 15-9 on the season, and a 11-9 NSIC record. With the loss, Winona State  moves to 20-6, including a 15-5 NSIC record. The win marks the first time  Minnesota State has won at Winona State since Jan. 2014. MSU leads the all-time series, 35-17. 

The Mavericks jumped out to a 5-2 lead after a Sammie Delzotto three and Claire Ziegler jumpshot to steal the momentum early. Both teams then went on to trade possessions and knot the game nine after a Monica Muth layup at the 4:04 mark.  Minnesota State closed the quarter building a five point, 18-13, edge afterBritney Scherber buried a three. The Mavericks led after one quarter of play, 18-13. 

Minnesota State stretched its lead into double digits, 28-16, after Muth distributed to Taylor Klug on the three point arc for a bucket with 7:28 on the clock. One possession later, Klug created a steal and then was able to net a jumper and make a score 30-16. The Warriors responded to cut the deficit down to ten, 35-25, with 4:20 to play in the half. Winona State continued to find the bottom of the net as it pulled within one, 38-37, after a made three pointer following an offensive rebound with four seconds to play in the half. Minnesota State led at the break, 38-37. 

The Warriors held the edge in rebounds, 17-14, while the Mavericks generated seven steals in the first half. MSU shot 42.4% (14-33) from the field and 54.5% (6-11) from downtown. WSU shot 59.1% (13-22) from the field and 60.0% (3-5) from three. 

Winona State quickly stole the lead in third quarter, 41-40, after a layup at the 9:00 mark. Both teams then traded possessions as the Warriors took advantage of Maverick fouls to build a 53-46 lead after a free throw with 2:38 to play in the quarter. Minnesota State trailed after three quarters of play, 58-53. 

Prior to a fourth quarter media timeout, the Warriors increased their lead to eight points, 63-55, at the 6:26 mark. Scherber answered for the Mavericks with a momentum stealing three pointer  to pull within five, 63-58. The Minnesota State defense then went into a full court press which allowed the Mavericks to storm back and lock the game at 68 after a pair of clutch free throws from Delzotto. However, Winona State showed composure with a crucial three of its own to take a one point, 71-70, lead with 1:21 remaining. Minnesota State then rattled off eight unanswered points highlighted by a Klug jumper which regained the lead, 72-71, with 1:11 to play. The Mavericks ran out the remaining time to pick up the upset win, 78-71

Winona State held the slight edge in rebounds, 34-33, while Minnesota State totaled 14 steals. MSU shot 46.4% (26-56) from the field and 36.8% (7-19) from three. WSU shot 48.1% (25-52) from the field and 40.0% (6-15) from behind the arc for the game. 

Ziegler recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and game-best 10 rebounds. Klug netted a career-high 21 points with three rebounds and one block. Delzotto and Scherber each contributed 12 points while senior Karina Schroeder posted 10 points. 

The Mavericks will return to Taylor Center on Feb. 17 hosting Southwest Minnesota State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.