Des Moines, Iowa — The Minnesota State women's basketball team (0-0, 0-0 NSIC) traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to square off against the Drake University women's basketball team (0-0, 0-0 MVC) in an exhibition matchup Saturday afternoon. The Mavericks were defeated by the Bulldogs 83-58 at the Knapp Center. Senior Maddy Olson led the way offensively for the Mavericks with 15 points and two assists.

Minnesota State had two Mavericks reach double figures in scoring in the exhibition loss with Mikayla Nachazel (10) hitting that mark and joining Olson. Nachazel also led the Mavericks on the glass with seven rebounds. 

The Mavericks struggled early in quarter one as they found themselves down 10 with 7:23 left in the 1st. Nachazel got the offense going off the bench as she provided a spark in scoring by hitting a jumper and a fast break layup in back to back possessions to get the Mavericks within five under half way to go in the first. The Mavericks would continue to close the gap as Maddy Olson would knock down a three ball from Joey Batt to make the score 17-20 Drake. With a steal by Rylee Menster, Taylor Theusch would hit a jumper to get the Mavericks within one late. The Mavericks would trail the Bulldogs 23-19 at the end of one.

In the second, the Mavericks would come out hot as Theusch would hit a three pointer to bring the Mavericks within striking distance. The Mavericks would take a three point lead after back to back jumpers from Nachazel. This would be the only time the Mavericks would lead. Drakes offense would open it back up a bit and lead by as much as nine in the second. The Mavericks would trail 37-43 to end the first half. 

As a team, the Mavericks shot 41% from the field and 26.6% percent from beyond the arc but, the Bulldogs managed to shoot 50% from the field and 38.4% from downtown. The Mavericks out rebounded the Bulldogs 22 to 16.

In the third quarter is where the Bulldogs would begin to expand their lead. Olson would Start the scoring off in the third with a steal into a fast break layup to pull within four. This would be as close as they would get the rest of the game. The Bulldogs would open up a 13-0 run and extend their lead to 56-39. Olson would hit one of her three, three-pointers to get the Mavericks within 10 late in the third. The Bulldogs wouldn't give up another basket from their and ended the quarter on a 11-0 run with a score of 68-47.

Facing a 21 point deficit, the Mavericks struggled offensively in quarter four. The Bulldogs would stretch the 11-0 run from the third to a 22-0 run and take a commanding 79-47 lead. The Mavericks would only hit six more shots in the game as the Drake offense was to hot to handle and put away the Mavericks 83-58.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 32% from the field, 21.9% from three-point range and 75% from the charity stripe going 3 for 4. The Bulldogs shot 45.3% from the field, 24.1% from deep range but, the real difference came from the free-throw line as they hit 18-20 for 90% in the game. The Bulldogs made a living in the paint as they outscored the Mavericks 42-22 down low. The Bulldogs had slim margin in rebounds, as they out rebounded the Mavericks 46-41.

The Mavericks look forward to the start of the regular season on Tuesday November 16th as they play host to Bethany Lutheran College at Taylor Center with tip-off set for 6:00 p.m., Then, on Saturday November 20th, the Mavericks welcome in UW-Parkside at Taylor Center with tip-off slated for 3:00 p.m.