MANKATO, Minn. --- The game remained close through most of the contest Friday evening, but it was #17 Minnesota State that was able to pull away at the end as it bested Southwest Minnesota State 81-70 at Taylor Center.
With the win, MSU improves to 18-3, including a 14-3 NSIC record. With the loss, SMSU drops to 13-9, including a 10-7 conference record.
The first half saw the Mavericks hold the lead for nearly the entire length, but the Mustangs would manage to keep the score close. MSU shot 11-of-18 from the field in the first quarter as they led 26-22 after the first 10 minutes.
Halfway through the second quarter the Mavericks built an eight point lead at 36-28. Six straight free throws from the Mustangs would cut MSU's lead to two, but MSU would end the quarter with a five point lead at 41-36.
Junior
Joey Batt led the Mavericks in the first half with 11 points and five assists, while sophomore
Destinee Bursch added seven points. As a team, MSU shot 51.4% from the field in the first half.
Bri Stoltzman and Hannah Parsley led the Mustangs in the first half with six points each. As a unit, SMSU shot 52.4% from the field in the first half.
The Mustangs managed to tie the score at 44-44 early in the third quarter, but the Mavericks would rebuild their lead and go up by eight at 60-52 with 2:13 left in the quarter. SMSU would then close the quarter on a 7-0 run to cut MSU's lead to one at 60-59.
The Mavericks opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run to go up by nine at 68-59 with 8:54 to go. SMSU managed to get back within four of the Mavericks, but MSU would score the final seven points of the game to claim the 81-70 win.
Batt led all scorers with 20 points, while freshman
Natalie Bremer tallied 15 points and five steals. Bursch finished with 13 points also.
As a team, MSU shot 54.1% from the field, while recording 24 steals.
Madison Gehloff led the Mustangs with 17 points, while Stoltzman finished with 12 points. As a team, SMSU shot 46.9% from the field, while committing 30 turnovers.
Minnesota State wraps up its homestand on Saturday as it takes on the Sioux Falls Cougars. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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