Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (20-5, 16-5 NSIC) hosted the Winona State women's basketball team (12-13, 9-12 NSIC) Saturday afternoon in Taylor Center. On a day where the Mavericks honored five seniors for their contributions to the program, Minnesota State nabbed their 20th win. This is the 11th time in program history that the Mavericks have eclipsed the 20-win mark, fourth in head Coach Emilee Thiesse's career. The Mavericks defeated the Warriors 78-55.
Minnesota State had four players hit the double-digit scoring mark with Joey Batt and Emily Russo leading the way with 14 each. Rylee Menster and Mikayla Nachazel both hauled in a team high five rebounds. Tayla Stuttley led the Mavericks in assists with five.
The Mavericks found themselves in a back-and-forth battle with the Warriors to begin the game. Winona State found a way to weave through the Mavericks pressure early. The Warriors worked it to an 8-6 lead in the early goings of the first. Russo found the hoop on three consecutive possessions however, the Warriors hit three straight three-pointers to maintain a 14-10 lead with three minutes left in the first. Minnesota State went on a 6-0 run as Batt netted five of the six points on a three ball and a layup from Destinee Bursch. The Mavericks took a 17-15 lead to the break despite the slow start.
In the second, Minnesota States offense came to life as they began the quarter on a 22-7 run on the back of Nachazel and Russo with fantastic finds from Stuttley. The Mavericks pressure began to sink their teeth in, as they generated 10 turnovers and forced six steals in the first half. Minnesota State allowed just seven-points in the quarter. The Mavericks were shooting at a 51.4% clip comparatively to Winona States 28.6%. Minnesota State went into the locker room with a commanding 39-24 lead.
To begin the second half the Mavericks scoring downpour continued with a 9-3 run pushing the lead to 48-27. The Warriors struggled to break the fierce Maverick press as they turned over Winona State 18 times in the game and racked up 10 steals. Minnesota State obtained their largest lead of 30, after a Bursch three ball with 4:10 remaining in the game. The Mavericks ran away with this one in the end, with a final score of 78-55.
As a team, Minnesota State shot 48.5% from the field compared to Winona's 37%. The Mavericks were 7-21 from beyond the arc for 33.3%. Winona State outrebounded the Mavericks by a margin of 39-35. The Mavericks compiled 22 assists in the contest.
Minnesota State will return to action in the second round of the NSIC Tournament. The Mavericks have earned a first-round bye and will take on the winner of the game between MSU Moorhead and Southwest Minnesota State. The tournament will take place Feb. 26 – Mar. 1 at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., The Mavericks game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m., tip-off, Saturday Feb. 26.
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