#7 Mavericks Advance After Dominant Win Over #2 Seed Griffons

3/15/2024 4:45:00 PM

BETHANY, Okla. – The #7 seed Minnesota State Mavericks (27-5) defeated the #2 seed Missouri Western Griffons (25-6), 78-58. Minnesota State started the game up 20 points after the first quarter and never looked back. MSU's Destinee Bursch led all scorers with 19 points and six rebounds. Natalie Bremer was right behind her with 18 points.

This is the Griffons' second-straight 20-point loss, after losing to Pittsburg State in the conference tournament semifinal, 75-55. These two losses come after a 15-game win streak for MWSU.
 
The Mavericks started the game up 4-0 thanks to a jumper from Bursch and a pair of free throws from Joey Batt. A layup from Tiani Ellison put the Griffons on the board, but Grace Mueller scored on the other end to keep the Maverick lead at four. Emily Herzberg hit a three to extend the lead, and a minute later sunk another to give the Mavericks a 15-3 lead with 4:31 in the opening quarter. All in all, Minnesota State scored 15 unanswered points, giving themselves an 18-point lead. The quarter ended with the Mavericks up 26-6.
 
Ava Stier opened the scoring in the second quarter with a jumper assisted by Bremer. Connie Clarke got the Griffons to double digits with two layups to make the score 29-10. Missouri Western went on a 14-7 run to cut the Maverick lead to 15, but the Mavericks score five quick points to extend their lead back to 20. Both teams traded threes in the final minute, and Jordan Cunningham made a layup with 10 seconds left for MWSU. Minnesota State led 43-25 after the first half.
 
As a team, MSU shot 40.5% from the field in the first 20 minutes. The team made five of its 10 three-point attempts and missed just one free throw in nine attempts. The Mavericks had a four-rebound lead over the Griffons in the first half, but both teams had seven assists. The team forced 16 first half turnovers for Missouri Western, which resulted 18 points.
 
Bremer had 11 first half points along with three rebounds, two assists and three steals. Bursch also had 11 points and three rebounds. Batt had nine points in the first half, along with two assists and a steal.
 
Missouri Western shot 34% from the field in the first, making just one three pointer in 10 attempts and making just two of six from the charity stripe. While not the best half for the Griffons, MWSU did dominate the paint in the first half, scoring 18 points down low. Alyssa Bonilla led the Griffons with eight points in the first half. She also had three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Bursch opened the scoring in the second half, putting the Mavericks back up by 20 with a pull up jumper. Both teams traded baskets back and forth until MSU made a couple of free throws to put the Mavericks up 53-31. There was no scoring for over two minutes, until Bonilla made a layup with 3:41 left in the quarter. Minnesota State closed out the quarter on a 7-0 run with a 63-37 lead.
 
A layup from Ellison kicked off the fourth quarter for the Griffons. Cunningham added another for MWSU, while Emily Russo responded with a layup of her own. Kassandra Caron sunk a three with 7:09 left to play to make the score 67-45. Missouri Western made a bunch of free throws, which prompted MSU to make a couple. Taylor Theusch sunk a three-pointer to make the score 75-53. Minnesota State closed out the game by a score of 78-58.
 
The Mavericks shot 26-67 (39% FG) from the field against Missouri Western. The team went 7-20 (35% 3FG) from beyond the arc and 19-27 (70% FT) from the free throw line. MSU won the rebound-battle, 42-33. Minnesota State had 13 assisted shots made. Both teams ended with 25 turnovers, but the Mavericks scored 29 points off turnovers compared to just four for the Griffons.
 
Bursch dropped 19 points (7-13 FG) and had six rebounds. Bremer ended with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. Batt had 13 points, two boards, four dimes and two steals against MWSU. Herzberg finished with eight points, four rebounds and two assists for the Mavericks. Russo also had a block, along with five points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Missouri Western State made 22-64 (34% FG) from the floor against the Mavericks. The team made just two of its 22 three-point attempts (9% 3FG) and went 12-18 (67% FT) from the free throw line. The Griffons were not able to do much with all the turnovers they forced, but the team dominated the paint, outscoring MSU 38-22 down low. Bonilla ended with 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Brionna Budgetts scored 12 points and had five turnovers in the game, and Clarke scored 10 points and turned the ball over seven times.
 
The Mavericks will take on the #3 seed Fort Hays State (25-7) tomorrow, Saturday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. in Bethany. Minnesota State lost to the Tigers at the Regional Crossover Challenge earlier this season, 83-67, although Batt did not play for the Mavericks due to injury.

 
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