Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team 12-3 (8-3 NSIC) returned home to Taylor Center Friday evening to take on NSIC North foe Bemidji State University 8-6 (6-4 NSIC). The Mavericks thwarted multiple Beaver charges in the fourth to claim victory 72-68.
The Mavericks had three players with double digit scoring as Joey Batt led the way with 22-points and five assists. Both Maddy Olson and Destinee Bursch dropped 13 points. Mikayla Nachazel led the Mavericks on the glass with seven rebounds and contributed six points to the effort.
The Mavericks offense was on point from the beginning as Taylor Theusch scored the first basket and started a 15-2 run to begin the game. The Mavericks defensive pressure forced the Beavers into nine first half turnovers and converted that into 18 points on the offensive end. The Mavericks ended the first quarter on a Joey Batt three ball and went to the break leading 25-10. In the second, the Mavericks would keep their distance as the Beavers didn't get within 14. In the last two minutes the Mavericks went on a 9-4 run to take a commanding 19-point lead into half with a score of 43-24.
The second half saw the Beavers decipher the Mavericks game plan as it became a tightly contested game. The Beavers started the third on a 10-4 run with back-to-back three balls. The Mavericks struggled to find their footing as the Beavers kept chipping at the lead. The Beavers outscored the Mavericks 26-15 in third and trailed the Mavericks 58-50 at the end of the third. The Mavericks rebounded quickly in the fourth as Destinee Bursch hit a corner three ball to start the quarter. With 5:40 remaining the Mavericks increased their lead back to double figures. After a Beaver three-pointer they got within four with 3:48 remaining. The Beavers wouldn't get any closer than four, as the Mavericks fended off multiple attempts and went on to defeat the Beavers 72-68.
As a team, the Mavericks went 25-65 from the floor for 38.5% and 38.1% from downtown. The Mavericks were 70% from the free-throw line going 14-20. The Mavericks were out rebounded by the Beavers 46-33. The Mavericks forced 21 turnovers and 11 steals in the contest.
The Mavericks return to action next weekend as they travel to Minot State on Friday Jan. 21 to take on the Beavers with tip-off slated for 5:30 p.m.
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