Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State University women's basketball lost a heartbreaker in overtime against the Winona State Warriors 95-91 Saturday afternoon. With the loss the Mavericks fall to 6-5 (5-4 NSIC) while the Warriors improve to 2-6 (2-5 NSIC).

Both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the opening minutes of the game, but the Warriors took an early 10-6 edge into the first media timeout. The Mavericks responded with a 16-7 run to finish the quarter capped off by a Joey Batt three pointer.

The pressure defense set up Minnesota State early in the second and a couple of good feeds from Batt and Tayla Stuttley allowed the Mavericks to start the second with a 19-2 run taking a 41-19 lead. The Warriors responded with a 14-0 run of their own which cut the Minnesota State lead to 41-33 going into the half.

Batt led the way for the Mavericks on offense with 12 points to go along with three assists while Mikayla Nachazel finished the half with eight points and five boards.

As a team, Minnesota State shot 57.7% from the field compared to 30.3% from the Warriors. The mavericks outrebounded the Warriors 22 to 17 in the first half as well.

The third quarter started with the Warriors going on a 7-0 run before the Maverick offense managed to keep them at bay. As time wound down in the third, Rachel Shumski hit a layup which gave Minnesota State a 57-52 lead going into the fourth.

Winona State opened the fourth quarter with a 15-5 run, taking a five-point lead with 5:57 to go. Minnesota State once again turned the tables on the Warriors though, pulling ahead late and taking a 78-69 lead with :55 seconds to go after a pair of Rylee Menster free throws. The Warriors then scored a quick three-point play and were able to steal the following inbounds pass and kick out to a three point shooter before once again forcing a steal as the Mavericks tried to get the ball up the floor. Winona State capitalized on that turnover to score their ninth straight point in the final minute and Minnesota State wasn't able to score a bucket late, forcing the game into overtime.

In overtime the teams traded baskets with the Warriors getting the early edge with free throws. Down three with 37 seconds to go, Menster hit a jumper off a pump fake to cut the Winona State lead to 90-89. On the inbounds pass the Mavericks forced a jump ball and on the following possession Batt drilled a tough floater in the paint to give Minnesota State a 1-point lead.

The Warriors converted an and-one on the other end, taking a two-point lead with 11-seconds to go. On the next possession the Mavericks were fouled but were unable to convert the free throws before Winona State went on to convert both free throws on the other end to seal the 95-91 win.

Batt finished the game with a game high 27 points to go along with six assists, five rebounds and five steals. Menster recorded 17-points or the Mavericks while Stuttley finished with 11-points, nine boards, five assists and four steals.

Minnesota State shot 50% from the field compared to 43.7% but were outrebounded 44-37.

The Mavericks will return home next weekend for the first of two weekend series to wrap up the regular season. Friday, Feb. 12, the Mavericks will host the Upper Iowa Peacocks with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m.