Mankato, Minn. — #24 ranked Minnesota State women's basketball team (11-0, 7-0) hosted the Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team (7-4, 4-3 NSIC) in their final NSIC matchup of the calendar year. The Mavericks jumped on the Mustangs early and were unrelenting in their efforts. The Mavericks would cruise to victory in Taylor Center with a final score of 96-74. 

The Mavericks offensive efforts were led by freshman Destinee Bursch this evening as she drained 20 points from the field along with four rebounds and two steals. Senior Maddy Olson and sophomore Emily Russo both added 17 points, which is a career high for Russo. Sophomore Joey Batt would also contribute 15 and tie the team high in steals with three. Senior Mikayla Nachazel led the Mavericks on the glass as she snagged nine rebounds.  

In the first the Mavericks would begin their ascent as they were able to jump out to a 17-10 lead just under halfway gone in the first after a Taylor Theusch three pointer. They would continue to create separation as the Mavericks would go on an 8-0 run capped off by a Nachazel layup to extend the lead to 12, their largest of the quarter, and ended the first leading the Mustangs 29-17. In the second, the Mustangs would show some life early on. They began the quarter on a 9-3 run to get within six. The Mavericks would answer with an 8-2 run to push the lead back to 12. From there the Mustangs would chip away at the Maverick lead and whittled it down to five right before Bursch would hit a three ball on the far side to send the teams to the locker room with the Mavericks leading 46-38 

As a team, the Mavericks went 18-43 from field good for just under 42%. They shot 40% from three-point range as they went 4-10 in the first half and shot 6-8 from the charity stripe good for 75%. Both teams were in a rebounding deadlock at 21.  

The Mavericks would put their hustle into overdrive in the third. They proceeded to go on a 19-4 run continuing from the first half capped off by two free throws from Bursch. The Mavericks would take a 20-point lead with four minutes remaining in the third. They smothered the Mustangs with pressure and outscored them 26-15 in the quarter. The Mavericks' pressure remained the entirety of the game and never waned. They would hit their largest lead of the game with two and a half minutes remaining with a score of 93-70. The Mavericks were able to cruise to a comfortable victory again as they finished off the Mustangs 96-74 

As a team, the Mavericks ended the evening shooting 48.6% from the field and 40% from downtown. They were efficient from the free-throw line as they went 18-23 for 78.3%. The Mustangs out rebounded the Mavericks 40-36. The Mavericks would force 23 Mustang turnovers for plus 12 margin in that category. They turned those turnovers into 25 points the other way. They would also create 18 steals compared to the Mustangs three. 

The Mavericks will return to action after a Holiday break as they remain home and play host to Concordia-St. Paul Sunday January 2nd at Taylor Center with tip-off set for 4:00 p.m.

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