Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State women's basketball team earned an 86-53 win against the Winona State Warriors Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center.  The victory insures the Mavericks will play a first round NSIC Tournament next Wednesday against the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. 
 
With the loss, the Mavericks improve to 16-10 (13-9 NSIC), while the Warriors drop to 16-10 (12-9 NSIC).
 
Both teams found offensive rhythm in the early going with the Mavericks holding the early 11-9 edge with 4:44 to go in the first quarter thanks to six points from Taylor Drost and five from Kirstin Klitzke. 

Minnesota State outscored Winona State 9-3 for the remainder of the quarter, taking a 20-12 lead into the second.

In the opening minutes of the second quarter, the Mavericks went on a 10-0 run sparked by a smothering defense that forced Winona State into several turnovers.  Minnesota State would go on to outscore Winona State 25-9 in the quarter, taking a 45-21 lead into the halftime locker room.

Drost led all players with 15 points in the first half while Maddy Olson added seven points.  As a team, Minnesota State 51.2% from the floor while limiting the Warriors to 23.3%.  The Mavericks also held a 9-1 points off of turnover advantage.

The second half proved to be all Mavericks as they extended their lead to as many as 36 points and the Warriors weren't able to cut into the lead.  Minnesota State was able to get 12 players into the scoring column before finishing the 86-53 win. 

Drost led all players with 24 points with seven rebounds while Klitzke finished with 11-points. As a team the Mavericks shot 50.0% from the floor while limiting the Warriors to 31.1%.  MSU also forced Winona State into 14 turnovers during the game. 
 
The Mavericks will host the first-round game in the NSIC Basketball Tournament this upcoming Wednesday  against the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles with the winner advancing to round two at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.