Mankato, Minn --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (11-2, 7-2 NSIC) traveled north to take on the University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team (9-4, 7-2 NSIC) in a conference showdown between the number one Mavericks and the third place Bulldogs. The Bulldogs would get the better of the Mavericks this evening and earn a 61-52 win.

The Maverick's scoring was guided by senior guard Maddy Olson as she set a career high with 23 points in the contest. The Mavericks had one other player reach the double-digit figure mark as Joey Batt put down 13 and dished out four assists. Emily Russo led the Mavericks on the glass as she hauled in eight rebounds this evening.

In the first the scoring was hard to come by as both teams combined for eight total points in the first five and a half minutes. After the break however, the Bulldogs offense came to life as they extended their lead on the back of a 15-2 run before Batt would hit a jumper to slow the roll. The Mavericks trailed the Bulldogs 15-4 after one. The Mavericks had to climb out of a hole to begin the second and they did just that. The Mavericks used a 17-8 run started with a Batt layup to get within two with 3:39 remaining in the half. Olson was the main contributor to the scoring column as she put in eight in that span. With just under a minute remaining in the half the Batt drove down the right side of the lane to get the layup and the foul. She converted on the free-throw and gave the Mavericks their second lead of the game since the opening moments. The Maverick defense held strong and took a three-point lead to the locker room with a score of 30-28.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 13-35 from the field good for 37.1%. They hit two of 11 from behind the arc for 18.2%. The Mavericks hit both of their free-throw attempts in the first half. The Bulldogs held a slight rebounding margin 22-20. The Mavericks forced nine turnovers and recorded seven steals.

With the Mavericks in a proverbial dog fight, the Bulldogs were ready to bite back. The Bulldogs answered the Mavericks big second quarter effort with a 9-5 run to begin the third and regain the lead at 37-35. The Bulldogs were able to maintain the lead for the remainder of the third and went to the breakup three 43-40. Olson who had the hot hand for the Mavericks quickly tied it up at 43, with a three ball to start the fourth. Both teams defense put on the clamps as neither team gave an easy look at the hoop. Despite the Mavericks sturdy defense, they found themselves down five at the fourth quarter media break. With time ticking away the Mavericks kept inching closer to the lead but, the Bulldogs would not relinquish it. The Mavericks got within three, three times in the last two and a half minutes but were unable to get over the hump. The Bulldogs hit their free-throws down the stretch and ran the clock out on the Mavericks to claim victory 61-52.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 30.8% from the floor shooting 20-65, 4-24 from beyond the arc and 8-11 from the charity stripe good for 72.7%. The Mavericks were out rebounded by the Bulldogs 46-38.

The Mavericks return to action tomorrow as they head to St. Cloud State to take on the Huskies to wrap-up the weekend. Tip-off for the contest is slated for 5:30 p.m.

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