Box Score MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (8-11, 5-10 NSIC) defeated the MSU Moorhead Dragons (18-6, 13-2 NSIC) 76-70 Friday night at Taylor Center.

In the first minutes of the game, the Mavericks quickly jumped out to a 10-2 lead behind 10 points from Taylor Drost.  The Dragons managed to cut into the early lead by the end of the quarter, but the Mavericks still led 18-7 after one.

Drost continued to make shot after shot, drilling a contested runner in the paint, before finding Brooke Tonsfeldt on a cut to the basket as the Mavericks built their lead to 32-20 with 3:46 to go in the half.   Minnesota State finished the half with an 8-5 run and took a 40-25 run into the locker room.   

Drost led all scorers in the half with 18 points while adding four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.  Tonsfeldt was the second leading scorer in the half with eight points and Rylee Menster added seven.  As a team, the Mavericks shot 51.6% from the field compared to 31.3% for the Dragons, while getting to the line eight times compared to only twice for MSU Moorhead. 

Minnesota State continued build their lead in the opening minutes and with 6:20 to go in the quarter, Drost made an and one to set a new career high of 24 points.  The Mavericks kept their foot on gas, eventually taking a 62-39 lead into the fourth quarter. 

The Dragons fought back hard in the fourth quarter, cutting the Maverick lead to 67-57 with 3:07 to go.  MSU Moorhead continued to close the gap to only a three-point lead with a minute to go.  Minnesota State was able to make several key free throws down the stretch, and Drost rebounded a missed free-throw to get an extra possession late that also turned into points at the line, and the Mavericks came away with the 76-70 win.

Drost finished the game with 24 points, setting a new career high, eight rebounds, and two blocks to lead the Mavericks while Monica Muth finished with 13 points and five rebounds.  In the game the Mavericks shot 42.9% from the field compared to 29.9% for the Dragons, as well as stealing the ball seven times for 15 points off turnovers. 

The Mavericks will face off with Northern State tomorrow, at 3:30 p.m. as well as participating in the #Play4Kay fight against cancer free throw challenge.