Sioux Falls, S.D. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball (16-5, 12-5 NSIC) traveled to Sioux Falls, S.D., Saturday evening to take on the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls (13-10, 8-8 NSIC) in NSIC South division action. The Mavericks bounced back in a big way with an 86-66 win in the Stewart Center.
The Mavericks had four players reach the double-digit scoring mark with freshman Destinee Bursch leading all scorers with 19. Joey Batt led the team with seven assists and Molly Ihle led the team in steals with five. For the second straight game Emily Herzberg led the Mavericks on the glass as she hauled in five boards.
The Maverick offense started the game quickly as they took an 11-7 lead halfway through the first. Out of the first media break the Cougars cut the Maverick lead to one after a three-pointer. Maddy Olson answered their three-ball with back-to-back three balls of her own to push the Maverick lead to seven. Minnesota State led at the end of the first 19-13. The Mavericks began the second with an 8-4 run to guide them to a 10-point advantage with just over six minutes remaining in the half. However, the Cougars would chip into the Maverick lead and got to within in four late in the second. Olson would knock down her third three-ball of the half to go along with a pair of Ihle free-throws to take a 39-30 lead to halftime.
The Mavericks offensive prowess carried over into the second half as they began the third on 14-6 run to extend their lead to 17. Minnesota State found offense from multiple Mavericks in the contest. The Mavericks outscored the Cougars 23 to 13 in the third and went to the quarter break up 19 with a score of 62-43. Minnesota State maintained their separation and led by as much as 24 in the final frame. The Mavericks coasted to victory 86-66.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 53.8% from the field compared to the Cougars 39.3%. Minnesota State was just 6of 22 from beyond the arc and 10 of 14 from the charity stripe. The Mavericks were outrebounded by the Cougars 39-30 in the contest.
The Mavericks return to action Friday, Feb. 11 as they play host to Wayne State in the friendly confines of Taylor Center with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.
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