Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State opened Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at home with a win against Concordia-St. Paul 91-61. 

With the win, MSU improves to 4-0 (1-0 NSIC) on the season. With the loss Concordia-St. Paul drops to 1-2 (0-1 NSIC). 

The Mavericks had a strong start with a lead of 11 points shooting at 52.6% with only five minutes of play then will continue to extend the lead to finish the first quarter 21-9. Minnesota State never trailed during the second quarter as it increased its lead by 24 points to close halftime 43-23. 

Sophomore Destinee Bursch led the Mavericks in scoring in the first half with 10 points shooting at .714, while junior Taylor Theusch netted eight points.

During the third quarter, the Mavericks made a run of 13 points creating a lead of  29 points and shooting the highest percentage in the game at 64.7%.  Minnesota State never gave up the lead throughout the entire game and led by as many as 33 points in the fourth quarter.

Bursch led the Mavericks with 14 points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds. Junior Emily Herzberg tallied 12 points and five rebounds while freshman Natalie Bremer also tallied 12 points. Sophomore Emily Russo added 10 points and six rebounds while Theusch had 10 points and four rebounds. Junior Joey Batt netted eight points, five assists, five steals, and three rebounds.

As a unit, Minnesota State forced 27 turnovers and scored 27 points off them. The Mavericks also shot 47.4% from the field. They also passed out 19 assists and recorded 23 steals. 

Concordia-St. Paul was led by Jadyn Hanson with 16 points and three steals and Ally Gietzel added 10 points. 

Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Saturday as it takes on UW-Parkside in Kenosha, Wis. in a nonconference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. 

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