MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (7-11, 4-10 NSIC) lost to the Augustana Vikings (18-5, 10-4 NSIC) 68-66 after a last second three-point attempt went long for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks quickly jumped to a 10-2 lead over the Vikings, punctuated by a three pointer from Taylor Drost, and a successful conversion of an and-one from Kirstin Klitzke.  The Vikings made a few shots to narrow the margin, but thanks to seven points off the bench from Tayla Stuttley, the Mavericks took a 21-15 lead into the second quarter.

Every time it looked as though the Vikings were going to go on a run in the second quarter, the Mavericks responded with a basket of their own, maintaining a 30-25 lead with 4:52 to go in the half.  Coming out of the media timeout, Augustana drilled a pair of three-pointers to take a 31-30 lead with 3:43 to go.  With ten seconds to go in the half Monica Muth drove through the defense to put in a layup that gave Minnesota State a 38-35 lead going into the half.

Stuttley led the Mavericks in scoring with 11 points and three rebounds coming off the bench, while Rachel Shumski added seven points and six boards.  Minnesota State succeeded at the line making 8-11 compared to only two made free throws from Augustana. 

In the third quarter the teams traded baskets and Augustana took a 47-45 lead with 3:47 to go on a free throw. A pair of three pointers from Muth punctuated a Maverick run that gave them a 56-52 lead going into the fourth quarter. 
Once again, the Vikings struggled to dig into the Maverick lead early in the quarter, until they managed to hit a three pointer to cut the lead to 62-60 with 4:20 to go.  With 56 seconds to go, the Vikings made their way to the glass to get a basket and tie the game at 64.

Stuttley was fouled running the offense for Minnesota State and she made a pair of free throws, but the Vikings responded with a pair of free throws with 37 seconds to go.  The Mavericks turned the ball over on an offensive foul, and on the other end a touch foul was called to send the Vikings to the line, where they made both to take a 68-66 lead with 16 seconds to go.  After losing the ball the Mavericks chased it down and as the buzzer sounded Muth attempted a shot just beyond half court, but it was strong off the glass, giving Augustana the 68-66 win. 

Klitzke finished the game as the leading scorer for the Mavericks with 15 points while Stuttley and Shumski finished with 13 and Muth added 12.  Shumski also finished with nine rebounds and two blocks while Brooke Tonsfeldt added seven rebounds. 

The Mavericks shot 41.8% from the field compared to 41.9% for the Vikings and made 14 free throws compared to eight.  There were 12 lead changes in the game as the fourth quarter was extremely tight.

The Mavericks will return home next weekend when they host MSU Moorhead Friday, Feb. 1, at 5:30 p.m., and face off with Northern State Saturday, at 3:30 p.m.