MANKATO, Minn. — The Mavericks women's basketball team (23-0, 17-0 NSIC) continued their unbeaten streak, toppling Sioux Falls (10-13, 7-10 NSIC) with a commanding 75-52 victory at Taylor Center, on Thursday, Feb. 5. With a relentless defense, No. 2 ranked MSU snagged 18 steals and converted those into 27 points off turnovers.
Leading the charge for the Mavericks was Natalie Bremer, who poured in 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. Senior guard Mackenzie Schweim chipped in with 10 points and two steals. Hannah Herzig added nine points alongside three steals, while forward Mallory Czinano contributed eight points and six rebounds.
The Mavericks kicked off the first quarter with a quick jumper from Schweim and capitalized on Sioux Falls' turnovers, picking up seven steals that led to transition buckets. Contributions from Adeline Kent and Rhyan Holmgren in the paint helped MSU keep their edge, finishing the quarter with an 11-9 lead despite a late three-pointer from Sioux Falls.
In the second quarter, Ava Stier nailed a 3-pointer early on, giving MSU a brief edge. Strong defensive rebounding by Addison Hoof and Herzig limited the Cougars' second chances, while Bremer's steady free-throw shooting helped extend the lead to 20–15 midway through. Sioux Falls fought back, tying the game multiple times with their inside game, but Minnesota State's defense, including a timely steal by Hannah Leverson, kept it close. Schweim's buzzer-beating layup knotted the score at 27-27 going into halftime.
The Mavericks took control in the third, igniting with aggressive defense that forced USF into turnovers. Kent's defensive tenacity led to key steals, and Bremer took advantage, scoring consistently in the paint. A 9–0 run, punctuated by fast-break layups from Herzig and Schweim, widened the gap. MSU's defense stood firm, ending the quarter with a 54–37 lead.
In the final quarter, Minnesota State maintained their dominance, extending their lead. Leverson's clutch 3-pointer at 3:42 and strong rebounding from Holmgren and Natalie Luneckas kept the momentum firmly with MSU. The Mavericks outscored the Cougars 21–15 in the period, sealing the deal with solid play on both ends of the court and closing out with a decisive 75–52 win.
The Mavericks host Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minnesota, with a 1 p.m. tip-off, while also recognizing seven seniors for their accomplishments at MSU.
