MANKATO, Minn. – Despite leading for majority of the game, the Minnesota State women's basketball team came up short against No. 11 Sioux Falls, falling 66-61 Saturday evening at Taylor Center.  With the loss the Mavericks fall to to 4-2 (1-1 NSIC), while the Cougars improve to 9-0 (3-0 NSIC).
 
The first quarter was back-and-forth and saw five lead changes, but the Mavericks managed to hold a 12-10 lead after one quarter. The Mavericks held the Cougars to 1-of-9 (11.1%) shooting in the quarter.
 
MSU extended its lead to 17-10 to open the second quarter before Sioux Falls knocked down a three-pointer to make it 17-13
 
The Mavericks continued to increase their lead to 25-15 with 2:36 to play in the half when Joey Batt hit a jumper, but the Cougars trimmed the lead back down to three points with 52 seconds left. Kirstin Klitzke hit a buzzer-beating triple to give MSU a 28-22 lead heading into the halftime break.
 
Joey Batt led the offense with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting in the first half. Rachel Shumski was right behind her, as she finished the half with seven points on 3-of-6 shooting to go with six rebounds and three steals.
 
As a team, MSU shot 11-of-32 (34.4%) from the field in the first half and held USF to 4-of-24 (16.7%) shooting.
 
In the third quarter, a three-pointer from Sioux Falls tied the game at 32-32 with 5:41 left. It remained tight the rest of the quarter, but the Mavericks still held a small lead at 43-42.
 
The Mavericks led by four points with 5:44 to play, but the Cougars managed to tie things up at 52-52 before taking the lead at 54-52 with 3:27 to play.
 
MSU then regained the lead at 57-56 with 1:39 to play before it lead went back to Sioux Falls at 59-57 with 1:27 to play, but a Maverick three-pointer gave MSU a 60-59 lead with 54 seconds left. The Cougars responded with a three-pointer of their own to take the lead for good at 62-60, as the Mavericks fell 66-61.
 
Shumski led the offensive charge with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting to go with 12 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Batt finished with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting.
 
As a team, the Mavericks shot 22-of-60 (36.7%) compared to 18-of-56 (32.1%) shooting by the Cougars. The Cougars were able to capitalize at the charity stripe, knocking down 23-of-27 (85.2%), while the Mavericks made 13-of-23 (56.5%) free throws. MSU held a 42-40 rebounding advantage.
 
The Mavericks will travel to face Winona State on Friday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.