Box Score MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks defeated the MSUM Dragon women's basketball team, 64-58, at Nemzek Fieldhouse, handing MSUM their fourth consecutive loss. This loss drops the Dragons to 4-6, 1-5 in the NSIC, while the Mavericks improve to 8-3, 4-3 in the NSIC.
 
The Dragons took a 2-0 lead off a Megan Strese layup, however this would be the only lead the Dragons had all night. The Mavericks answered with an 11-2 run, paced by senior center Laura Weber's play in the paint, and five Dragon turnovers in the first four minutes of regulation.  Weber led all scorers at the half with 14 points. Maverick guard Jennie Noreen was active during this run, with four points, two steals and an assist. Noreen finished the game with a double-double, scoring 13 points and hauling in 13 rebounds.
 
The Mavericks led by as many as 19 points with 6 minutes remaining in the half, when MSUM answered with strong post play by senior forward Angie Jetvig and freshman center Taylor Shepard. Shepard battled two Maverick defenders for an offensive rebound, scoring the layup and the ensuing free throw, cutting the Maverick lead to 30-17.
 
Jetvig further cut into the Maverick lead with just over one minute remaining, successfully completing a three-point play of her own, to further diminish the Maverick lead to 32-25 going into the end of the first half. Taking advantage of the Mavericks' foul trouble, the Dragon's shot 10-for-12, 83.3%, from the free throw line, compared to MSU, Mankato's 2-for-2.
 
The start of the second half was all MSUM, as the Mavericks' shooting went cold. Jetvig hit a three as the shot clock expired, and Strese's layup on the next possession cut the Dragon deficit to five, at 39-34.
 
With just over 1:30 remaining, the Dragons were able to trim the Maverick lead to 57-55, as Brittany Mayclin hit two free throws; however, the Mavericks converted five of seven free throws with forty seconds remaining, holding the lead until the end of regulation.
 
MSUM finished the game 17-for-57, 29.8%, from the field, 3-for-14, 21.4%, from three, and 21-for-26, 80.8%, from the free throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Jetvig (18), Mayclin (12), and Shepard (8).
 
MSU, Mankato shot 24-for-68, 35.3%, from the field, 3-for-21, 14.3%, from three, and 13-for-19, 68.4%, from the free throw line. The Mavericks were led in scoring by Weber (17), Noreen (13), and Aubrey Davis (10).
 
Game two of the home double-header will be tomorrow night against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs at 6:00.
 
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: The last Dragon women's win in the first game after the new year was a 56-40 home victory versus Northern State on January 5, 2007.