Women’s Basketball Splits Series in Exciting Face-off against Augustana

Daniel McElroy ® Sports Editor |

The Minnesota State (2-2) women’s basketball team split their series this weekend against Augustana University (2-2) in Sioux Falls. 

The Mavericks started the game with a quick 4-0 lead, but the Vikings answered back scoring six points.

After a 10-10 tie five minutes into the first quarter, Maddy Olson went on to make three free throws and a 3-pointer, with Tayla Stuttley adding a layup to go up 18-14.

After exchanging baskets, the first quarter ended with a 22-22 tie.

The Vikings came out strong in the second quarter, scoring seven in a row before Rachel Shumski would be able to answer with a layup. 

The Vikings held onto the for the rest of the second quarter, going into halftime with a score of 42-35.

The second half of the game would start with Olson draining a three to bring the Mavericks within four, but the Vikings answered in the same way.

The Mavericks regained the lead when Joey Batt and Rylee Menster combined for 11 points in just three minutes in the third quarter, keeping the game within reach going into the fourth.

A very close fourth quarter displayed five lead changes in six minutes, but a steal and a pair of rebounds put the Vikings up by six with just 2:30 remaining. The Mavericks attempt to bring the game closer while fouling to regain possession, but come up empty handed as Augustana wins the game 80-72 improving to 2-1.

Stuttley came up big for the Mavericks in this close contest, putting up 18 points and nine rebounds on the day, while Olson added 11 points of her own, and going 3-4 from the free throw line.

The second game of the weekend was as close as could be, as the Mavericks pulled out the win in overtime with a score of 87-82.

The Vikings start out the scoring with seven straight points, until the Mavericks respond going on a 16-5 run, giving them the lead, 16-12 with 3:44 remaining in the first quarter.

A few more basket exchanges ended the quarter with the Vikings holding a 19-18 lead. 

Throughout the second quarter, the Vikings held the lead for the entire duration, keeping it within two possessions for almost the whole quarter. The Vikings led at the half 39-32.

Batt led the Mavericks in scoring with eight points through the first half. 

The second half scoring starts in the same way for both teams, with each scoring a layup and 3-pointer. This would lead to the Mavericks going on a 7-0 run, bringing them within one with a score of 50-49.

The Vikings would finish out the quarter stronger with a lead of 58-53.

The Mavericks fought back the entire fourth quarter, regaining the lead when Batt scored six straight points with 3:09 remaining in the final quarter, giving the Mavericks the lead 70-68.

Stuttley scored the final points of regulation for the Mavericks with a layup going up 74-72 with :03 remaining, but the Vikings responded with a layup of their own with zeros on the clock, pushing it to overtime at 74-74.

The Mavericks came up big when it came to the free throw line, scoring 9-11 in overtime, ultimately giving them the win 87-82. 

Batt had a game to remember, scoring a career high 28 points, going 8-18 in field goals, and making six 3-pointers.

The Mavericks next meeting is against Wayne State (1-3) this Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16.

Header photo courtesy of Maverick Athletics.