Box ScoreMinnesota State University, Mankato, used key runs in each half to defeat Augustana 89-79 Thursday night in Mankato, Minn.
The loss dropped the Vikings to 20-7 overall and 6-4 in the North Central Conference, while MSU improved to 19-7 overall and 5-6 in the NCC.
Minnesota State got off to a fast start, racing out to a 10-2 lead with 15:45 left in the first half. Augustana steadily chipped away at the Maverick lead, eventually tying the game at 26-26 with just over 5 minutes to play in the half.
However, Minnesota State answered with a 10-0 run over the next 2 minutes to push the lead to 36-26 with 3 minutes remaining in the period. MSU led 43-32 at halftime.
The Mavericks maintained their lead for most of the second half. Then, with 12:34 left in the game, Minnesota State reeled off 11 straight points to increase its lead to 72-51 with just under 10 minutes to play in the contest.
Augustana made a final charge in the final 5 minutes. Trailing 78-57, the Vikings used an 11-0 rally to narrow the gap to 10 points at 78-68 with 3 minutes to play. However, MSU put the game away with 5 consecutive points to push the margin to 83-68 with 2 minutes on the clock.
Augustana was led offensively by
Amy Puthoff and
Dani Arens. Puthoff netted a team-high 23 points, while Arens poured in a career-high 20 points and 9 rebounds.
The Vikings shot a respectable 49 percent (30 of 61) from the field and outrebounded MSU 38-30. However, Augustana could not overcome 29 turnovers, compared to 19 for MSU.
Augustana returns home on Saturday to play its final home game of the season against St. Cloud State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Elmen Center.
