The Gustavus women’s basketball team jumped out to a 41-33 halftime lead on Division II Minnesota State University, Mankato, but could not hold on in the second half as MSU went on a 21-2 run to secure a 74-67 victory in an exhibition game Friday night at the Taylor Center in Mankato. Junior post player Bri Monahan (Hutchinson, Minn.) led all players with 24 points and nine rebounds.
Gustavus outshot Minnesota State from the field, 51.5% to 41.9%, to build the eight-point halftime lead and used a 7-2 run to start the second half to extend the lead to 48-35. The Mavericks battled back, though, going on a 13-2 run over a five-and-a-half minute stretch to cut the lead to 50-48.
The Gusties took a 59-53 lead following a pair of free throws by sophomore guard Jess Vadnais (Hudson, Wis.) with 8 minutes, 53 seconds to go in regulation, but the Mavericks proceeded to outscore the Gusties 21-2 over the next eight minutes to take a 74-61 lead. Gustavus drained a couple of three-pointers in the final minute to make it close.
Vadnais added 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting for Gustavus, whlie Arin Andrews and Joanne Noreen led MSU with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Gustavus opens its regular season with a November 22 game at Wartburg.