The Free Press
SIOUX FALLS S.D. — The Minnesota State women’s basketball team got off to a strong start, but the game slipped away in the second half in a 92-73 loss to top-seeded Concordia-St. Paul in the NSIC tournament championship game Tuesday at the Sanford Pentagon.
The Mavericks beat sixth-seeded Mary 90-66 in the quarterfinals Sunday and second-seeded Southwest Minnesota State 87-74 in the semifinals Monday.
MSU led 21-19 at the end of the first quarter and only trailed Concordia 45-41 at halftime Tuesday. The Mavericks trailed by two points midway through the third quarter, but Concordia exploded to close the frame, leading 69-53 going into the fourth.
Natalie Bremer led the Mavericks with 19 points in the loss Tuesday, while Lucy Leininger added 10 points and four steals. Mackenzie Schweim also scored 10 points for MSU.
The Mavericks won the turnover battle 25-15, but lost the battle on the glass 46-34. The Golden Bears went 31 of 59 from the field (52.4%), while MSU was 24 of 71 (33.8%).
The Mavericks (24-7) will await the NCAA tournament pairings. The bracket will be released on Sunday.