MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball fell to Sioux Falls, 75-65, on senior day at Taylor Center.
Claire Ziegler started the scoring for the Mavericks in their first possession. At the first media timeout, Minnesota State led the Sioux Falls, 15-7, with
Sammie Delzotto leading the Mavericks with six points. In the first quarter the Mavericks saw several possessions extended by offensive rebounds. With three minutes left to play in the first quarter,
Mackenzie Dahl pulled down an offensive rebound that led to a layup by
Monica Muth, adding to Minnesota State's 20-9 lead. The Mavericks ended the first quarter leading, 20-13, and held the edge in rebounds, 16-9.
Minnesota State and Sioux Falls traded field goals from range for an offensive start to the second quarter. With 5:29 on the clock, the Cougars capped a 9-0 run to take a 27-26 lead before half. Sioux Falls offense began to click in the second quarter with the team shooting 50.0% from the field and the scoring spread between six scorers. After trading baskets, the Cougars increased their lead to 34-31. With six seconds left on the clock, Ashley Reed drove the lane and scored to cut the Maverick deficit to one at halftime. Minnesota State trailed at the half, 34-33.
The Mavericks held the edge in rebounds at the intermission, 27-19. Minnesota State had eight players score in the first half with Delzotto leading the Mavericks with nine points and Scherber adding Six. Dahl added nine rebounds and three points.
Ziegler gained an offensive rebound and scored two consecutive layups to give the Mavericks a 37-34 lead in the first minute of the second half. Buckets by Schroeder and Delzotto would increase the Minnesota State advantage to 47-39 and force Sioux Falls into an early timeout. The Cougars captured the lead, 50-49, with the fifth lead change of the game at the 1:40 mark. Sioux Falls took a 52-49 edge into the fourth quarter.
USF started the fourth quarter on a ten point run to extend their lead, 60-49.
Rachel Shumski and Scherber started the scoring for the Mavericks in the fourth to draw within six, 63-57, with 2:45 remaining. However, the late rally would not be enough as the Mavericks fell 75-65 at the final whistle.
The Mavericks shot 33.3% (25-75) from the field while the Cougars shot 48.3% (28-58) from the field. Minnesota State held the edge in rebounds, 45-41. Additionally, the USF bench outscored the MSU bench, 32-11.
All three seniors reached double digits in scoring on senior day: Scherber (14), Schroeder (12), and Delzotto (11). Ziegler added a team-best 11 rebounds with eight points while Muth chipped in nine points and three assists.
Minnesota State finishes the regular season with a 16-10 (12-10 NSIC) record. The Mavericks will travel to Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 22 in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament. Tip-off is set 7:00 p.m.
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