For Immediate Release Jan. 12, 2008
Subject: Women’s Basketball
Junior Guard Heather Johnson Tallied 20 Points
Mankato, Minn. – The #12 Minnesota State Mavericks were defeated by #1 North Dakota by the score of 69-62. The loss brings MSU’s record to14-2 with a 1-1 North Central Conference record.
The Mavericks just could not get the ball to drop as they were a combined 21-of-70 from the field (.300). North Dakota out-rebounded Minnesota State 51-37, while MSU won the turnover battle as it forced 20 to UND’s five.
The first half began with both teams battling for the lead. With 10 minutes to go in the half both teams were deadlocked at 13 points a piece. It was shortly after this that North Dakota took its first lead of the contest at 15-13 with nine minutes left in the half.
The first half ended on a 23-12 UND run that left the Mavericks trailing by 13 going into the break at 38-25. Junior forward Heather Johnson tallied a team-leading nine points, while sophomore guard Tiffany Moe led the team in rebounds with four.
North Dakota kept Minnesota State at arms length for most of the second half as the Mavericks would come within 10 points of UND once in the first 17 minutes. The final three minutes of the game saw MSU get as close as seven points behind four points from both junior guards Johnson and Jo Noreen. North Dakota weathered the storm and won by the final score of 69-62.
Johnson led the Mavericks with 20 points while Noreen was the only other Maverick to reach double-digits in points with 14. Moe led MSU in rebounds with seven, while sophomore center Mari Korton recorded a career-high four steals.
Minnesota State finishes a brief two game homestand Thursday, at 6 p.m., as it takes on conference rival St. Cloud State. The Mavericks then hit the road to take on Bemidji State in their final non-conference game of the season Jan. 22, at 6 p.m.
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