Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State picked up its seventh home win of the season as it defeated the University of Mary 86-60.
The win pushes the Maverick record to 16-3 overall, and 12-3 in the NSIC play.
The first quarter started close with the score tied 6-6, but the Mavericks would outscore the Marauders 13-5 in the final five minutes to take a 19-11 lead. Sophomore Destinee Bursch scored five points while junior Joey Batt added four.
In the second quarter, UMary picked up the pace as they went on an 18-10 run to tie the score at 29-29. With the help of freshman Natalie Bremer scoring 11 points, MSU was able to go back up by five at 40-35 as the game went into halftime.
In the third quarter, MSU extended its lead to 62-53 as the Mavericks outscored the Marauders 22-18. MSU connected on 10-of-13 attempts from the free throw line in the third quarter.
The Mavericks controlled the fourth quarter from the outset as they outscored UMary 24-7, en route to an 86-60 win.
Offensively, Minnesota State was paced by Batt who scored 22 points and had a team-high of five assists. Bremer added 21 points and three rebounds, while junior Emily Herzberg and Bursch rounded out the Mavericks in double figures 12 and 11 points, respectively. Freshman Ava Stier tallied a team-high of 8 rebounds.
As a unit, Minnesota State shot 38.8% from the floor. The Mavericks forced 45 UMary turnovers, converting them into 48 points, while the MSU bench outscored UMary's 34-18.
The Mavericks continue NSIC play tomorrow hosting Minot State at 5:30 p.m.
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