MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (6-10, 3-9 NSIC) convincingly defeated the St. Cloud State Huskies (10-6, 7-5 NSIC) 78-62 Saturday evening at Taylor Center. At halftime of the game the 2009 National Championship women's basketball team was homered for their tenth anniversary.
The first quarter was all Mavericks as St. Cloud State found it difficult to complete passes with Minnesota State defenders clogging the lanes. The Mavericks took advantage of the turnovers to take a 21-13 lead out of the first quarter.
The Huskies fought back in the second quarter, getting the Mavericks in foul trouble early, and taking advantage of opportunities at the line, and second chance put-backs. Minnesota State held onto the first half lead though, going into the half with a 34-30 edge.
Taylor Drost led the Mavericks in first half scoring with nine points while adding four rebounds.
Rylee Menster and
Tayla Stuttley each also added seven points each. Minnesota State shot 46.4% from the field compared to 31% from St. Cloud State and the Mavericks earned seven steals.
Coming out of halftime Minnesota State began to cut to the basket before kicking the ball out for several three pointers, rebuilding their lead to 44-36 with 3:40 to go in the third quarter. The Mavericks ended the quarter with a 52-41 lead thanks to converting a few inside buckets.
In the fourth quarter the teams continued to trade baskets and successfully get the charity stripe. The Maverick lead proved too much for the Huskies to overcome however, and Minnesota State finished out the game with the 78-62 win.
Monica Muth led all scorers with 19 points and added four assists.
Stuttley finished the game with 14 points and five rebounds while
Drost and
Menster each finished the game with 13 points.
The Mavericks shot 44.6% from the field compared to 34.5% for the Huskies and won the rebound battle 42-33. Minnesota State also won the bench battle getting 33 points from their reserves compared to 17 for St. Cloud State.
The Mavericks will return to the road next weekend when they travel to Wayne, Neb., to take on Wayne State Saturday, at 3:30 p.m. before traveling to Sioux Falls, S.D., to play Augustana on Sunday, at 1:30 p.m.
