Crookston, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (10-11, 7-10 NSIC) Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles (10-13, 5-12 NSIC) 84-71 Friday night in Crookston, Minn. behind a 32-point career night from Taylor Drost.   The 32 points is the most by a Maverick since Ali Wilkinson scored 35 points against Augustana Jan. 4, 2013

The Mavericks came out with a furious offensive assault, quickly gaining a 19-2 lead over the Golden Eagles.  With the offense clicking on all cylinders, and the defense getting in between every pass, Minnesota State built its lead to 30-7 at the end of the first.

In the second quarter Minnesota Crookston battled back but weren't able to dig out of the hole that they were in, ultimately going into the half trailing the Mavericks 45-29.

Drost led all scorers with 19 points in the first half and Monica Muth added seven points, two assists, and two steals for Minnesota State.  The Mavericks shot 47.4% from the field compared to 38.5% for the Golden Eagles and forced nine turnovers in the half.

Drost continued to lead the way for the Mavericks and eclipsed her previous career high of 24 points in a game after hitting a jumper to reach 25 points with 3:02 to go in the third.  The Golden Eagles did fight back, making several shots from outside the ark, and cut the Maverick lead to 62-53 with 1:44 to go in the quarter.  Both defenses slowed down the final minutes, and Minnesota State led 64-56 going into the fourth.

Minnesota Crookston cut the lead to seven points several times in the opening minutes of the fourth, but every time it got that close, the Mavericks pushed it back to nine or ten.  The lead proved too much for the Golden Eagles to overcome and the Mavericks took the win 84-71.

Drost finished the game with a career high 32 points to go along with three rebounds and three blocks.  This is the third time in the last four games that Drost has exceeded her previous career high.  Kirstin Klitzke finished the game with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists as well.

Minnesota State outshot the Minnesota Crookston 44.8% to 40.4% from the floor and stole the ball eleven times in the game.  The Mavericks also outrebounded the Golden Eagles 38-31 in the game. 

The Mavericks will remain on the road tomorrow as they take on Bemidji State at 3:30 p.m.