Minnesota State Earns 56-46 Victory in Season Opener

Wilkinson Earns Double-Double in MSU Win

Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State kicked off the 2010-11 season at the Maverick Classic in Mankato. MSU would earn a 56-46 victory over Grand View College on Friday evening at the Taylor Center, marking the 11th straight opening day victory for Minnesota State.

The Mavericks struck first as Junior Laura Weber put in a lay-up 25 seconds into the game.  MSU wouldn’t score again for three minutes, when sophomore forward Ali Wilkinson would force a lay-up in.

Minnesota State would gain the lead seven minutes into the game and would not look back the rest of the night.

Senior guard Andrea Walsh and forward Wilkinson each scored six points in the first half. The Mavericks scored only two points in the last 8:26 of the first half, but walked away with a 26-23 lead over the Vikings midway through the game.

In the second half, MSU would take its largest at 11:42 as Lauren Barber would hit a jumper to put the Mavericks up 15.

Wilkinson would finish the day with her third career double-double, earning 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Blue Mounds, Wis., native averaged 6.9 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. The last double-double by an MSU player was Weber, with 14 points and 10 rebounds on Feb. 20 last season.

The Mavericks are 1-0 to start the season and will continue play in the Maverick Classic tomorrow against California (PA), who beat Bemidji State earlier in the evening. Game time is slated for 5 p.m.