MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State women's basketball (10-4, 8-1 NSIC) defeated the Wolves of Northern State (9-4, 5-2 NSIC) at home, 69-48. Mavericks' sophomore guard Natalie Bremer led all scorers with 21 points, four rebounds and four steals. Minnesota State forced 28 turnovers against Northern State.

Minnesota State started the game hot, with back-to-back three-pointers made by Joey Batt and Bremer to put the Mavericks up 15-5. However, the Wolves fought back, bringing the Minnesota State lead to 20-12 heading into the second quarter.

The Mavericks extended their first quarter lead, starting the second quarter on a 7-3 run to put Minnesota State up 27-15. However, Northern State wouldn't go away, going on a quick 6-2 run to bring the Minnesota State lead back to single digits. The Wolves outscored the Mavericks 7-4 the rest of the quarter. Minnesota State went into halftime with a 33-28 lead.

Minnesota State shot less than 29% from the floor in the first half, making 10 of its 35 field goal attempts. The Mavericks shot 3-9 from beyond the arc and 10-13 from the charity stripe in the first half. The Mavericks forced 15 first-half turnovers and had eight steals in the first 20 minutes of play.

Northern State shot 38% from the field in the first half, including 2-8 from three-point range and 6-9 from the free throw line. The Wolves outrebounded the Mavericks 23-20 in the first half.

The Mavericks came out of the locker room determined, quickly starting the third quarter on a 9-0 run led by Bremer who made two shots early in the quarter. The Wolves would push back, going on a 9-2 run of their own, bringing the Maverick lead within seven points. The Mavericks ended the third quarter on another run to put themselves up 52-39 heading into the final period.

A 5-2 start for Northern State would Maverick lead back within 10 with 7:22 left in the game. A Destinee Bursch two-pointer and a Batt three-pointer would put Minnesota State back up by 15. The Mavericks closed out the Wolves by a final score of 69-48.

Minnesota State shot 37% from the field against Northern State, making 5-17 from three and 12-17 from the free throw line. The Mavericks narrowly outrebounded the Wolves 42-39, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds and scoring nine second-chance points. Minnesota State forced 28 turnovers and had 15 steals while only committing 16 turnovers. The Mavericks scored 25 points off turnovers and 30 points in the paint.

Bremer led all scorers with 21 points, tying her season high. The sophomore guard also had four rebounds and a team-leading four steals against the Wolves. Bursch ended with 16 points, two rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. Batt ended with 14 points, four rebounds and a steal.

Northern State shot 33% against Minnesota State, shooting just 18% from three-point land and 11-17 from the free throw line. The Wolves blocked five shots and had 13 assists, one more than the Mavericks. The Wolves were led by Madelyn Bragg, who finished with 16 points, five rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

The Mavericks are on the road next week, traveling to Bemidji State to take on the Beavers (3-8, 0-7 NSIC) on Friday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Then, Minnesota State travels to Minnesota Crookston to take on the Golden Eagles (8-5, 5-2 NSIC) to play on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.