MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (3-1) cruised to a 98-46 win over the Bethany Lutheran Vikings (5-2) Monday night at Taylor Center.

In the opening minutes of the game, both offenses found success with the teams trading baskets until the game remained tied at 11 with 4:39 to go in the quarter.  Turnovers on both ends stalled the early momentum, but the Mavericks held a 16-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter as Kristi Fett blocked the Viking's last second shot attempt. 

In the second quarter, defense continued to the be the story as in the first six minutes the teams each added five points before Monica Muth drilled a three-pointer to give Minnesota State a 24-20 lead.  The Mavericks fed off that energy launching an 11-3 run and went into the half with a 37-25 advantage.

Brooke Tonsfeldt led all scorers in the first half with ten points and added seven rebounds with two blocks.  Muth added seven points in the half as well as six assists, and Rachel Shumski contributed six points and two rebounds. 

In the first half the Mavericks out-shot the Vikings 44.4% to 25.8% from the field and made four three-pointers compared to one.  Minnesota State also got seven points from their bench compared to zero for Bethany Lutheran. 

The Mavericks came out of halftime on fire, going on a 9-2 run that started when Muth stripped the Vikings point guard of the ball and hit Taylor Drost up the court for a fast break layup.  The offensive onslaught continued as Minnesota State scored 36 in the quarter, taking a 73-42 lead into the fourth.

With the game well in hand, the Mavericks took the opportunity to get minutes for their roster depth in the fourth quarter.  Despite going deep into the roster, Minnesota State ended the game with a 25-4 run and earned a 98-46 win. 

The Mavericks out shot the Vikings 49.3% to 23.2% from the field and made nine three-pointers compared to only one.  Minnesota State also out-rebounded Bethany Lutheran 49-38 in the game and assisted on 20 shots compared to seven. 

Shumski led the Mavericks in scoring with 14 points and six other Mavericks, Muth, Drost, Tonsfeldt, Rylee Menster, Fett, and Tayla Stuttley all scored in double figures.  Tonsfeldt led Minnesota State in rebounds with nine and added two blocks and a steal in only 18 minutes of action. 

This Saturday, the Mavericks will host Concordia-St. Paul to open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, at 3:30 p.m., at Taylor Center.