MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State women's basketball team used a second half surge to earn an 85-54 win over the Minot State Beavers Friday night at Taylor Center.
 
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 8-3 (5-2 NSIC), while the Beavers fall to 3-8 (0-7 NSIC).
 
The Mavericks rode a hot offensive start to the game to build a 14-4 lead while using defensive pressure to force the Beavers into several turnovers.  Minnesota State continued to roll behind an offensive outburst from Taylor Drost who scored nine points in the first quarter which ended with the Mavericks up 26-10.

In the second quarter, points were a little more difficult to come by, but Minnesota State hit a few three-pointers late in the frame and took a 46-25 lead into the half. 

Coming out of the half, the Mavericks immediately went on a 13-5 run to extend their lead to 29-points.  The Beavers would never make much progress in cutting into that lead as Minnesota State would go on to win the game 85-54.

Drost led all scorers with 14 points while Kirstin Klitzke added 11 points and Tayla Stuttley scored 10 points.  Brooke Tonsfeldt led the Mavericks with nine rebounds to go along with five points.

As a team, Minnesota State forced Minot State into 39 turnovers while also making 10 three-point shots compared to only one.  The Mavericks also recorded 35 bench points compared to 13 from the Beavers.
 
The Mavericks will wrap up the weekend with a 3:30 p.m., home game against the University of Mary Marauders tomorrow.