SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Three Mavericks reached double digits in scoring but Minnesota State fell to unbeaten No. 12 Augustana on the road, 79-60, Friday evening.  

Both teams traded baskets to get that game underway locking the score at six by the first media timeout. Freshman Kirstin Klitzke came off the bench and provided an offensive boost with a quick triple, 9-6, giving the Mavericks (4-10, 2-6 NSIC) their first lead at the 2:56 mark. However, Augustana (13-0, 9-0 NSIC) held the slight edge after one, 14-13.

Junior Monica Muth caught fire in the second frame delivering back-to-back triples on the Mavericks first two possessions to make the score 19-17. Minnesota State continued to capitalize on Augustana turnovers with a 7-4 run to push the edge to five, 26-21, at the 6:59 mark. The Vikings retaliated with six unanswered points to regain the lead, 27-26, after Presley O'Farrell buried a three. The Mavericks then assembled a 6-0 run of their own to open up the largest lead of the half, 32-27, with 3:20 on the clock. Both teams headed into the intermission deadlocked, 34-34.

At the half, Muth set standard with 11 points and five rebounds while Klitzke netted seven points of her own. The Mavericks only turned the ball over four times in comparison to the Vikings nine turnovers.

Augustana, the seventh highest scoring team in NCAA Division II, took control in the third quarter outscoring Minnesota State, 24-8. Neither team able to pull away in the early portion of the frame until the Vikings put together a 9-2 run to put its lead into double figures, 50-40, and force a Minnesota State timeout at the 3:43 mark. Augustana led after three, 58-42.

Sophomore Taylor Klug provided offense in the fourth quarter with back-to-back triples on the Mavericks first two possessions to make the score 60-48 with 8:57 on the clock. Later in the quarter, senior Claire Ziegler pulled the Mavericks within 12, 64-52, after freshman Brooke Tonsfeldt found her in the paint for a layup with 7:16 remaining. Minnesota State could not get any closer and went on to drop the contest, 79-60.

As a team, Augustana held the advantage in rebounds (38-36) and assists (15-13). The Mavericks shot 32.2% from the field in comparison to the Vikings 42.6%. Minnesota State also shot a season-high 93.8% from the free throw line.

Ziegler fueled Minnesota State with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals. Klug also posted 12 points to go along with four rebounds and season-high three steals. Muth rounded out the top performers with 11 points and team-high seven rebounds.

Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow at Wayne State. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.