Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State University women's basketball team dropped their home opener 84-79 to the Wayne State Wildcats Saturday night. With the loss the Mavericks fall to 2-3 (1-2 NSIC) while the Wildcats Improve to 2-3 (1-2 NSIC).

Minnesota State came out aggressive on offense getting the ball to senior forward Rachel Shumski on the first two possessions for scores and Brooke Tonsfeldt banked in a layup to cap the opening 6-0 run. The Wildcats were able to tie things up with a run of their own and both teams traded baskets down the stretch in the first quarter before a Wayne State layup gave them a 19-17 advantage at the break.

The Wildcats were able to extend their lead throughout the second quarter, a lead as high as nine points. But the final two minutes of the first half were all Mavericks as they launched a 12-4 run initiated by several turnovers and Wayne State was only able to take a 37-36 lead into halftime.

Shumski led the Mavericks in scoring in the first half with 11 points and collected five rebounds while Tonsfeldt and Kristi Fett each added eight points.

As a team the Wildcats were forced into 12 turnovers and Minnesota State scored 15 points off of them. Wayne State did hold the edge in rebounds 23-18 while shooting 46.9% from the field compared to 44.7% for Minnesota State

After trading a few baskets to open the second half, the Mavericks went on a 7-0 run to take a 48-44 lead midway through the third. The Wildcats however responded once again and were able to hold onto a 60-58 lead going into the fourth.

Wayne State continued on a 13-2 run to start the fourth quarter, putting Minnesota State in a 73-60 hole with about six minutes to go. Coming out of a coach's timeout, the Mavericks went on a 14-4 run fueled by several steals that were forced by the team's signature press defense. Down by five with just over a minute to go, Minnesota State was able to get a handful of good looks but weren't able to convert and despite controlling much of the pace, fell short to the Wildcats 84-79.

Shumski finished the game with a career high 24 points to go along with eight boards while Fett and Tayla Stuttley finished in double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively.

As a team the Mavericks forced the Wildcats into 29 turnovers compared 13 but were outrebounded 42-36.

The Mavericks will play return to action tomorrow afternoon against the Wildcats with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.