MANKATO, Minn. – #17 Minnesota State women's basketball (21-4, 18-1 NSIC) secured the top spot in the NSIC with a 97-75 win over Augustana (6-15, 5-13 NSIC). This is the third time in program history Minnesota State has won a regular season conference title. The Mavericks have now won 19 straight games, the longest active win streak in NCAA DII women's basketball.

MSU was led by senior Joey Batt and junior guard Destinee Bursch against the Vikings. The two stars combined for 46 points and eight steals.

The Mavericks started the game with a three-pointer from Emily Herzberg. The Vikings took a 5-3 lead on a three-pointer from Jennifer Aadland, but MSU was able to tie the game back up on a pair of free throws from Batt. Batt would get a steal and scored with just under eight minutes to play in the first contest. Augustana responded with a layup to keep the score close, 9-7.

The Vikings took a one-point lead after a three and a layup on back-to-back possessions. Minnesota State went on a quick 6-0 run thanks to a couple of steals leading to easy scores for the Mavericks, taking the lead back, 17-12. A Batt three-pointer and a Natalie Bremer jumper put Minnesota State up nine. An Aadland layup ended the quarter; Minnesota State held a 24-17 lead heading into the second quarter.

After Lauren Sees made a layup to open the second quarter, the Mavericks went on a 9-2 run to take a 12-point lead with eight minutes left in the half. During that two-minute stretch, Bremer made two jumpers and Herzberg hit her second three of the game. Augustana cut the Maverick lead back to single digits with a jumper that made the score 33-24.

The Mavericks and the Vikings made nothing but free throws for three and a half minutes of the second quarter. Minnesota State closed the half out with an 8-2 run. The Mavericks led 48-33 heading into halftime.
Minnesota State shot 47% from the field in the first half, making three of its 10 three-point attempts. The Mavericks grabbed 17 rebounds and dished out eight assists in the first half. MSU forced 16 first half turnovers and had nine steals, scoring 22 points off turnovers.

Batt led the Mavericks with 14 first half points. She shot 4-4 from the field and contributed two rebounds and three steals. Bremer ended the first half with 10 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Bursch and Herzberg both scored eight points in the first half. Bursch also contributed three assists and a steal. Herzberg had two steals in the first half.

Augustana shot 46% in the first half, making two three-pointers in 10 shots. The Vikings had 18 rebounds and six assists in the first half. Aadland and Sees led Augustana in first half scoring, finishing with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Bursch got the scoring started in the second, making two jumpers. Batt made a layup to put Minnesota State up 55-33. The Vikings responded with a minute-long 7-0 run to cut the Maverick lead to 15. Batt responded with a three of her own to put MSU up 58-40. The teams traded buckets back and forth for the rest of the quarter. The Mavericks took a 73-52 lead heading into the final quarter.

Michaela Jewett hit a three-pointer to start the field goal scoring in the fourth quarter for Augustana. MSU responded with two threes from Herzberg and Herzig to put the Mavericks up 80-55. Batt would get another steal-and-score to further extend Minnesota State's lead. Scores from Ava Stier and Bursch put the Mavericks up 86-57.

The Vikings and Mavericks traded threes back and forth to make the score 92-68 with just under three minutes in regulation. Minnesota State closed out the game, winning by a score of 97-75.
Minnesota State shot 49% against the Mavericks (35-72 FG), making 45% of its three-pointers (9-20 3pt) and just under 70% of its free throws (18-26 FT). The Mavericks grabbed 37 rebounds and passed out 16 assists against the Vikings. MSU scored 36 points off its 27 forced turnovers. The Mavericks had 18 steals as a team.

Bursch led the Mavericks in scoring against Augustana, dropping 24 points on 8-11 shooting. She also had four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Batt had 22 points on just eight shot, making both of her three-point attempts. She also contributed three boards, two assists and four steals. Bremer finished with 16 points three rebounds and four steals. Herzberg and Herzig both scored 11 points, each. Herzberg made 3-4 from beyond the arc and had two steals. Herzig made both of her three-point attempts and had three assists and a steal.

The Vikings shot 44% from the field (26-59 FG) against Minnesota State. The team made 28% of its threes (7-25 3pt) and 70% of its free throws (16-23 FT). The Vikings outrebounded the Mavericks 39-37 and scored 25 second chance points in the game. Augustana's undoing would be its turnovers, turning the ball over 27 times.

Augustana had four players in double figures. Jewett finished with 22 points and seven rebounds to lead the Vikings. Aadland had 17 points and five rebounds. Sees ended with 15 points, making two of three from beyond the arc. Aby Phipps scored 12 points and had two steals.

Minnesota State plays just one game next weekend against Northern State (17-7, 13-5 NSIC). The Mavericks will travel to Aberdeen, S.D. to take on the Wolves on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 4:00 p.m. The Wolves are in second place in the NSIC behind the Mavericks. Minnesota State beat NSU earlier this season 69-48 at the Taylor Center.