Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State Women's basketball team convincingly won 87-54 against the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Wednesday night in the first round of the NSIC Basketball Tournament. 
 
With the win the Mavericks improve to 17-10 while the Golden Eagles fall to 5-22.  Minnesota State advances to the second round of the NSIC Basketball Tournament and will play the University of Mary Sunday afternoon with tip-off scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

The Mavericks used their signature pressure on the Golden Eagles early, forcing several turnovers and tough looks while feeding Kristi Fett in the post as she recorded six of the Mavericks first 10 points.  After Mikayla Nachazel put in a layup to put Minnesota State up 18-9 with 1:39 to go in the quarter, Crookston was forced to use their first timeout.  The Golden Eagles finished the quarter with a 5-2 run to cut the Maverick lead to 20-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Crookston kept the game tight in the opening minutes of the second quarter, cutting the MSU lead to 28-25 with 4:55 to go in the half.  Minnesota State responded down the stretch in the half and extended its lead to 40-28 with a minute to go after Kirstin Klitzke converted on an and-one.  The Mavericks once again found Fett in the paint for a final bucket, giving Minnesota State the 42-28 halftime lead.

Fett led all players with 18 points in the first half with Klitzke finished with 10 and Joey Batt added eight.  As a team the Mavericks shot 43.2% while the Golden Eagles shot 32.2%. 

Minnesota State opened the third quarter with a 10-1 run, once again forcing Crookston to use a timeout.  The Mavericks outscored the Golden Eagles 13-6 the remainder of the quarter, taking a 65-35 lead into the fourth quarter.

Minnesota State was able to play out the stretch with no threats to its lead, coming away with the 87-54 win.

Fett finished the game with 20 points while Klitzke finished with 12 points.  Batt and Taylor Drost finished with 11 and 10 points respectively.  As a team the Mavericks shot 40.0% from the field compared to 30.1% from the Golden Eagles.  MSU Also won the rebounding battle 58-34 while forcing 21 turnovers. 

With the win, Minnesota State advances to the second round of the NSIC Basketball Tournament and will play the University of Mary Sunday afternoon with tip-off scheduled for 2:30 p.m.