MOORHEAD, Minn. —- A strong showing in the third quarter propelled #12 Minnesota State to its 15th win of the season as the Mavericks defeated MSU Moorhead 77-70 on the road
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 15-3, including an 11-3 NSIC record. With the loss, the Dragons drop to 9-9, including a 6-8 conference record.
The Mavericks opened the first quarter fast as they built a 10-2 lead two minutes in with six coming courtesy of junior Emily Herzberg. The Dragons would work their way back into the game as they put together a 21-9 run to take a 23-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Herzberg and junior Joey Batt led the Mavericks in the first quarter with six points each.
The Dragons were able to build a 29-21 lead early on in the second quarter, but the Mavericks were able to get back within three points of the Dragons at 31-28 with 6:55 to go. The Mavericks cashed in on four attempts from the line, while junior Grace Mueller connected on a three pointer. The Dragons would go back up by 11 at 40-9 with 4:06 to go in the half, but the Mavericks would able to chip away at the lead in the closing minutes as the Dragons led 48-41 at halftime.
Batt, Herzberg and sophomore Destinee Bursch led the Mavericks in the first half with eight points each. As a team, the Mavericks shot 33.3% from the field in the first half.
Peyton Boom led the Dragons in the first half with 17 points, while Olivia Skibiel notched 10 points. As a team, the Dragons shot 60.0% from the field in the first half. They also hauled in 25 rebounds.
The Mavericks continued to cut into MSU Moorhead's lead early in the third quarter as they got back within a four points of the Dragons at 52-48 with 7:05 left in the quarter. The Mavericks would go on to outscore the Dragons 17-8 the rest of the way through the third quarter to go up 65-60. Bursch notched nine points for the Mavericks in the third quarter as they outscored the Dragons 24-12 in the quarter.
The Dragons managed to get back within one point of the Mavericks at 65-64 to open the fourth quarter but they would not be able to overtake Minnesota State. With the game still within two points at 72-70 with 2:42 to go, the Mavericks would shut the door defensively as they scored the final five points of the game to secure the 77-70 win.
Bursch led the Mavericks with 19 points, while Herzberg notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Batt added 14 points also, while junior Taylor Theusch tallied 10 points.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 33.8% from the field, while they forced 21 Dragon turnovers.
Boom led the Dragons with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Mariah McKeever notched 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
As a team, the Dragons shot 45.0% from the field, while passing out 18 assists.
Minnesota State begins a four-game homestead on Friday as it takes on the University of Mary. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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