ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A Milestone Victory
Emilee Thiesse celebrated her 250th win as head coach with the Minnesota State Mavericks, who triumphed over the St. Cloud State Huskies with an impressive score of 96-61. The Mavericks showcased a fantastic performance, causing 35 turnovers while improving their season record to 22-5, with 18 wins in the NSIC.
Star Performers Shine
Notable performances came from the Mavericks’ stars. Destinee Bursch was the lead scorer, netting 27 points and shooting 12-17, complemented by five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Natalie Bremer also made her mark with 22 points on 9-14 shooting, along with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Early Game Dynamics
The game opened with Bursch showcasing her skills by assisting Bremer with a behind-the-back pass for the first bucket. The Huskies quickly tied the game, but Bursch’s scoring prowess put the Mavericks ahead. After Bursch scored a three-pointer, they went on a remarkable 14-0 run, concluding the opening quarter with a 22-13 lead.
Defensive Dominance
The Mavericks exhibited strong defensive tactics, forcing St. Cloud State into numerous turnovers and converting those opportunities into 23 points during the first half. With a commanding lead of 48-23 at halftime, the Mavericks had outscored St. Cloud State 36-12 in the paint.
Second Half Surge
As the second half commenced, Bursch and Bremer continued to dominate the court, leading to a 63-28 advantage for Minnesota State. Despite a late surge from the Huskies, the game concluded with the Mavericks claiming a dominant victory.
Final Stats and Contributions
In the end, Minnesota State shot 53.3% from the field and forced 35 turnovers, resulting in 47 points off these takeaways. Bursch’s stellar performance included 27 points and multiple assists, while Bremer closely followed with 22 points. The team depth showed as bench players contributed significantly to the score.
Looking Ahead
Next, the Mavericks are set to face the Dragons of MSU Moorhead, a team they have historically performed well against, winning 13 of their last 17 matchups.
Words from Coach Thiesse
Post-game, Coach Thiesse expressed pride in her team’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of roster depth as the season progresses.
