Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State University women's basketball used a big run in the second quarter to win its first game of the weekend 89-63 against the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. With the win the Mavericks improve to 9-5 (8-4 NSIC) while the Golden Bears fall to 10-5 (8-5 NSIC).
Concordia-St. Paul countered the Maverick press in the opening minutes of the game but thanks to success from the free throw line from Minnesota State, the Golden Bears were only able to open up a 12-9 lead with 5:01 to go in the first. Coming off a pair of
Joey Batt free throws that tied the game with seven seconds to go,
Rylee Menster intercepted a pass at mid-court and took it all the way to score a layup at the buzzer, buying MSU an 18-16 lead after one quarter.
The early success that the Golden Bears had breaking the press completely fell apart in the second quarter as a
Maddy Olson led unit pushed the Mavericks to a 28-7 quarter with all the momentum in favor of Minnesota State. With the massive push, the Mavericks went into the halftime locker room with a 46-23 lead.
Olson led all players with 15-points in the half while
Batt finished with 14. As a team, the Mavericks outrebounded the Golden Bears 28-19 in the half and continued their defensive trending forcing 14 turnovers and scoring 15 points off of them.
The teams traded baskets throughout most of the third quarter, but Mavericks were able to answer each attempt to cut into their lead as they took a 63-43 lead into the final quarter. Minnesota State continued to hold off the
Golden Bears and cruise through the final frame and earn the 89-63 win.
Olson finished the game with a game-high 20-points and
Batt finished with 17-points of her own.
Rachel Shumski finished the game with a 10-point and 11 board double-double.
Aa a team, the Mavericks shot 38.7% from the field compared to 35.1% for the Golden Bears and outrebounded Concordia-St. Paul 52-41. The Minnesota State bench outscored Concordia-St. Paul 53-28 and forced 25 turnovers which led to 30 points.
The Mavericks will complete the 2021 regular season tomorrow afternoon as they re-match against Concordia-St. Paul with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
