Marshall, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell to the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, 78-56, Saturday evening at the R/A Center.
 
With the loss, the Mavericks fall to 9-5 (6-4 NSIC), while the Mustangs improve to 7-8 (2-8 NSIC).
 
Defense was stifling in the opening minutes, but the Mustangs were able to find cutters in the early going en-route to an 8-4 lead with 4:45 to go in the quarter. Despite finding Kristi Fett down low for a pair of baskets, the Mavericks were outscored 13-6 for the remainder of the quarter, entering the second down 21-10.

Minnesota State's offense came out in force in the second quarter, with a 13-6 advantage in the first five minutes, cutting the SMSU lead to 27-23.  The Mustangs would go on to outscore the Mavericks 6-3 in the final minutes of the half, taking a 33-26 lead into the locker room.

Fett led the Mavericks in the first half with six points, five rebounds, a block and a pair of steals.

Despite a fast start from MSU in the third quarter, the Mustangs were able to outscore the Mavericks 20-11 in the quarter to take a 53-37 lead into the fourth.  MSU was able to cut the lead to 10-points a couple of times, but the deficit proved too much as Southwest Minnesota State was able to pull away in the final minutes for the 78-56 win.

Joey Batt finished the game as the leading scorer for the Mavericks with 11-points while Rachel Shumski added 10-points and three rebounds.  Kirstin Klitzke finished the game with seven points, seven boards and five assists. 
 
Minnesota State will continue its road trip next Friday as the team will take on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.