Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State University women's basketball team fell 75-66 to the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs Friday night in the first of two games between the teams this weekend. With the loss the Mavericks fall to 3-4 (2-3 NSIC) while the Mustangs improve to 5-0 (3-0 NSIC).

The opening minutes of the game saw both teams attempt to keep a frantic offensive pace and the Mavericks quickly jumped out to a 14-8 lead. The Mustangs tied things up at 16-16 with 3:11 to go in the quarter but Minnesota State finished the frame with a 9-2 run.

After a layup from Rachel Shumski seconds into the second quarter, the Mavericks went ice cold from the floor and the Mustangs while not exploding on offense, finished the quarter with a 14-3 to take a 32-30 lead into the half.

At the half, Shumski led the Mavericks with eight points to go along with a pair of steals. As a team, the Mavericks forced the Mustangs into 19 turnovers but were outrebounded 27-19.

Minnesota State opened the second half with an 11-3 run, but Southwest Minnesota State was able to match the run and tie the game back up with 4:16 to go in the third. The Mustangs finished the third with an 8-3 run to take a five-point lead into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter the Mavericks were able to cut the Mustang lead to one twice early on, but Southwest Minnesota State managed to stay ahead and hit their free throws down the stretch to clinch the 75-66 win.

Shumski finished with a team high 17 points to go along with eight rebounds and Tayla Stuttley finished with 14 points.

As a team the Mavericks forced 25 turnovers in the game but were the victim of eight blocked shots while being outrebounded 49-42.

The Mavericks will look to split the two-game series tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Mustangs with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.