DULUTH, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell to Minnesota Duluth, 83-73, in the opening round of the NSIC / Sanford Health Tournament Friday evening. 

Following a Claire Ziegler steal and layup on the fast break the Mavericks captured a 4-3 edge early in the first quarter. The Bulldogs retaliated to establish a six point advantage, 11-5, by the 5:43 mark. The Mavericks answered to lock the game at 15 after a Britney Scherber three pointer with 3:01 on the clock. Minnesota State then found an offensive rhythm closing the quarter on a 9-0 run highlighted by a Karina Schroeder layup in the paint in the final play of the quarter. MSU led after one, 24-15.

The Bulldogs battled back in the second frame to tie the game at 29 following a triple with 3:15 remaining in the half. Minnesota Duluth then went on to open up a six point, 35-29, lead after two more made three pointers. The Mavericks pulled back within four, 35-31, after Ziegler netted a free throw with 1:31 to play in the half. Minnesota State trailed at the intermission, 40-31. 

Minnesota Duluth held the edge in rebounds at the half, 19-12, while Minnesota State held the advantage in steals, 6-4. The Mavericks shot 46.2% from the field and 40.0% from three in while the Bulldogs shot 53.3% from the field and 47.1% from downtown. 

Minnesota State pulled within three, 43-40, after a Sammie Delzotto free throw at the 8:11 mark. Minnesota Duluth then stretched its lead up to 12, 52-40, with 5:59 on the clock. On the final play of the quarter after a Rachel Shumski offensive rebound, Delzotto was able to connect on a free throw to make the score, 60-50.

The Mavericks continued applying pressure in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to single digits, 61-55, after two free throws from Shumski with 8:49 remaining. The Bulldogs then slowly rebuilt their lead back up into the double digits, 77-64. Scherber helped the Mavericks make a late surge with a triple, 79-71, with 1:59 to play. However, Minnesota Duluth went to close out the remaining time to earn the 83-73 win. 

The Bulldogs held the advantage in rebounds, 35-33, and both teams turned the ball over 19 times. Minnesota State shot 44.2% from the field and 46.2% from downtown while Minnesota Duluth  shot 48.2% from the field and 41.9% from three. The MSU bench also contributed 16 points. 

Schroeder led the Mavericks with a team-best in both points (18) and rebounds (7) with two steals. Delzotto also reached double figures in scoring with 15 points. Ziegler rounded out the top performers with 14 points and five rebounds. 

Minnesota State finishes the season with a 16-11 (12-10 NSIC) record.