Box Score DULUTH, Minn. --- #18 Minnesota State suffered its third loss of the season Saturday afternoon as the Mavericks fell to Minnesota Duluth 30-16.

With the loss, MSU drops to 8-3 on the season, including a 7-3 NSIC record. With the win, UMD finishes its season with a 7-4 record, including a 6-4 conference record.

"We didn't make enough plays and we made too many mistakes," head coach Todd Hoffner said. "As coaches we have to do a better job to put our players in a better position to make plays."

After both teams failed to score on their opening drives, MSU took over on its own 27. The Mavericks then drove 73 yards down field in eight plays, including a 44-yard flea flicker from senior Hayden Ekern to senior Grant Guyett that put Minnesota State up 7-0.

The Bulldogs were able to respond with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to take the lead. Derrick Johnson finished a 41-yard scoring drive with a three-yard touchdown run, before Kyle Walljasper connected with Ryder Patterson on a 35-yard touchdown pass. On the extra point attempt after the touchdown pass, Maverick senior Khai West blocked the kick and returned back for the two point conversion as UMD took a 13-9 lead into halftime.

The second half would see the Bulldogs score three more times to increase their lead to 30-9 with 12:50 to go in the game. Walljasper connected with Alex Riley and Cole Ewald on touchdown passes, before Drew Henson connected on a 33-yard field goal.

MSU's lone score in the second half came with 1:11 remaining in the game. The Mavericks drove 96 yards down field as freshman Sam Backer finished the 19-play drive with a two-yard touchdown carry to bring the final score to 30-16.

Ekern finished the day completing 15-of-28 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown. Junior Isaiah Emanuel caught four passes for 57 yards, while Guyett finished with 48 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.

Backer led the Maverick rushing attack with 38 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer and freshman Cade Stingle led the Maverick defense with nine tackles each.

Minnesota State will learn its NCAA Tournament fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, at 5 p.m. (CT). The selection show will air on NCAA.com.