MANKATO, Minn. – The #22 Minnesota State women's basketball team (23-5, 20-2 NSIC) defeated the Bemidji State Beavers (6-20, 3-19 NSIC), 92-62, at the Taylor Center. The Mavericks' 20^th conference win is the most in program history. Joey Batt, Destinee Bursch and Natalie Bremer combined for 45 points against Bemidji State.

Emily Russo made a couple of layups for the Mavericks to start the game, but scores from Isabel Majewski and Amme Sheforgen gave the Beavers an early 7-4 lead. Over the next four and a half minutes, Minnesota State would go on a 13-0 run, forcing six turnovers that set up easy scoring opportunities for the Mavericks. That run put MSU up 17-7. However, Bemidji State would glance that blow, finishing the first quarter on a 9-3 run, cutting the Maverick lead to just four heading into the second quarter.

Erin Barrette cut the Minnesota State lead to three with a three-point make 37 second into the second quarter. The Mavericks responded with a 16-0 run capped off by a three from Mackenzie Schweim. Both Bremer and Bursch scored four in that run and Hannah Herzig nailed a three of her own.
The Beavers followed that Maverick run up with five quick points to make the score 38-24. Both teams traded buckets to close out the half. MSU took a 43-29 lead heading into the locker room.

The Mavericks shot a 38% field goal percentage in the first half against the Beavers. MSU made four of its 10 three-point attempts in the first half and made seven of 11 from the free throw line. The Mavericks forced 20 turnovers with 14 steals in the first half. The team scored 18 points off turnovers through the first two quarters. Minnesota State dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds and scoring 15 second chance points.

Bremer had 10 first half points, collecting seven rebounds, dishing out two assists and ending with two steals after one half of play. Herzberg made two threes, giving her six points in the first. Six Mavericks had two steals in the first half.

Bemidji State shot 50% from the floor in the first half but shot 18 fewer shots than Minnesota State. The Beavers also shot 4-10 from three and made their only free throw attempt. Majewski had 10 points in the first half, making two threes.

After both teams traded baskets in their first offensive possessions, Minnesota State cruised on a 14-0 run that put the Mavericks up 59-31 with 6:26 left to play in the quarter. Bursch and Bremer both scored six points in that run and Minnesota State forced six turnovers in that three-minute stretch. Majewski drained a three to end the run, which sparked an 11-4 run for the Beavers. The Mavericks led 73-49 heading into the fourth quarter.

Bursch scored two layups in the first 33 seconds of the final quarter to put the Mavericks up by 28. Bemidji State responded with a quick 6-0 run. Taylor Theusch sunk a three to end the Beaver run and start a 10-0 Maverick run, ended by a three from Schweim. When buzzer sounded, Minnesota State had beaten BSU, 92-62.

Minnesota State shot a 44% field goal percentage (35-80 FG) against Bemidji State, making 39% of its threes (7-18 3pt) and 75% of its free throws (15-20 FT). The Mavericks dominated the glass, outrebounding the Beavers 45-34 and scoring 21 second chance points on 20 offensive rebounds. MSU also played great, unselfish basketball in the win, dishing out 22 assists. The team forced 35 turnovers, had 23 steals and scored 36 points from those turnovers.

Bremer finished with 18 points to lead the way for Minnesota State. The sophomore ended with seven rebounds and five steals also. Bursch scored 16 points against the Beavers, also finishing with three rebounds, three assists and four steals. Batt had 11 points, five assists and four steals. Stier and Theusch both ended with eight points.

The Beavers shot 46% from the field, 33% from deep and made 6-9 from the charity stripe in the game. Bemidji State forced 19 Maverick turnovers and had 13 steals. Majewski led the Beavers with 13 points. Alyssa Hill had 12 points against MSU, finishing with six rebounds and two steals.

The Mavericks head into the NSIC Tournament as the one-seed and as such have a first round bye. Minnesota State's next game will be in the second round of the tournament on Saturday, March 2 at 4:30 p.m. at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Mavericks fell just short of a tournament title last season, falling to Minnesota Duluth in the championship game.