Mavericks Shocked by Blugolds 66-54

Eau Claire, Wis.-- 25th-ranked Minnesota State was stunned by UW- Eau Claire as it suffered a 62-52 loss inside Zorn Arena Saturday. This was the first meeting in the two schools history.

The Mavericks opened the game with four different players scoring as they went on a 11-6 run.

The Blugolds would then go on a 8-0 run gaining a 13-11 lead on the Mavericks at 12:40 in the half, before  Lauren Barber drilled her second three-pointer to put Minnesota State back on top 14-13.

Hannah Mesick put in a left-handed lay-up at 8:06 to give UW-Eau Claire a 21-20 lead on MSU. The Mavericks had a tough time stopping Bluegold senior Hannah Mesick as she put down 13 points in the first half shooting 6-of-9. Mesick was a big part of the 16 points in the paint that UW-Eau Claire earned in the 1st half.

Senior guard Andrea Walsh connected from beyond the arc to give Minnesota State the 23-21 lead with 7:10 left in the first. Walsh would finish the half with 11points, shooting 3-of-4 from the field.

UW-Eau Claire junior Laura Olson made a game-tying three to even the game at 27, followed by a Nicole Christianson lay-up to put the Blugolds back on top 29-27 with 1:40 left in the half.

Minnesota State would finish the half with three free throws to take a one-point advantage going into halftime with a 30-29 lead. MSU shot 35 percent in the first half as the Blugolds shot 48 percent.

UW-Eau Claire would open the second half with a 6-0 run as they would gain a lead of  35-30. Walsh would connect on a jumper to scored the Mavericks first points of the half at 16:30.

At 11:30 left in the half, Alli Hoefer would finish a three-point play the cut the Maverick deficit to three,  making the score 39-42.

With six minutes left, the Blugolds held a 49-46 lead on MSU, after Stephanie Haight knocked down two free throws.

The Mavericks would score a season-low as they couldn’t generate a comeback against UW- Eau Claire, with the final ending 66-54.

Mesick would end the game with a double-double, earning 24 points and ten rebounds as the Mavericks had a tough time stopping the senior center. The Blugolds shot 44 percent, as MSU shot 24 precent.

Minnesota State was outrebounded 44-33, with UW-Eau Claire ending with 28 points in the paint.

This marks the first Maverick loss this season as they own a 3-1 record after ending their nonconference schedule. MSU will open its conference schedule at the Taylor Center against Wayne State Friday at 6:00 p.m