MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (4-1) opened conference play with a convincing 82-60 win over the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears (4-2) Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center.

The Mavericks started the game quickly striking from outside the arc and scoring in transition to gain an early 12-5 edge over the Golden Bears. Minnesota State forced several turnovers and converted on the fast break in building their lead to 24-10 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter the Mavericks continued to build their lead going on an 11-6 run in the opening minutes.  Concordia-St. Paul couldn't't close the gap and with a buzzer beating three-pointer from Monica Muth, the Mavericks took a 48-22 lead into halftime.

In the first half the Mavericks outshot the Golden Bears from the floor 47.4% to 21.2% and outrebounded them 26-22.  Continuing their trend from the three-point line, Minnesota State made 7-13 attempts compared to 0-7 for Concordia-St. Paul. 

Kirstin Klitzke led the Mavericks in scoring in the first half with 11 points and Taylor Drost added 10.  Rachel Shumski led the team in rebounds with seven and added six points.

In the third quarter the Golden Bears managed to tighten the margin scoring 22 points compared to 16 from the Mavericks, but Minnesota State still took a 64-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

Minnesota State quickly ended any hopes of a comeback going on a 15-9 run to start the fourth quarter and held off the Golden Bears to win the game 83-60. 

The Mavericks finished the game shooting 43.5 % from the field compared to 31.1% and outrebounded the Golden Bears 49-45.  The three-point shot tally ended with an 8-2 advantage for Minnesota State which also enjoyed a 29-15 bench scoring advantage. 

Shumski led the Mavericks with 15 points and added 11 rebounds to record her first double-double of the season.  Klitzke added 14 points for Minnesota State and Drost finished with 10 points.  Freshman center Kristi Fett added eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Next weekend the Mavericks will travel to Marshall, Minn., Friday, to take on the Mustangs at 5:30 p.m., and then to Sioux Falls, Saturday, to challenge the Cougars at 4:00p.m.