The Minnesota State women’s basketball team is a national champion.
The Mavericks were in control from start to finish in a 89-73 victory over Texas Woman’s University in the Division II national championship game Friday night in St. Joseph, Mo., for their second-ever national title and first since 2008-09.
The Mavericks were dominant throughout, taking a 13-point lead after one quarter of play, a 14-point lead at halftime and a 24-point lead into the fourth quarter of play. The Pioneers did cut their deficit to 10 with 2 minutes, 5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as they would get, and it was too little, too late.
The Mavericks forced the Pioneers into turnover after turnover, recording 20 steals as a team on the night. Three of those came from Natalie Bremer, who led the team with 27 points and three rebounds. Ava Stier tallied 13 points and eight boards. Emily Herzbert recorded 12 points, five steals, five assists and four rebounds. Joey Batt had 10 points and a whopping seven steals.
The Mavericks shot 41% from both the field and 3-point range.
The Pioneers got big performances from Ashley Ingram, who had 24 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, and Jada Celsur, who had 20 points, five boards and four steals. They also shot the ball well, hitting at a 42% clip from the field. But turnovers proved to be their demise due to the Mavericks’ stifling defense. TWU turned it over 29 times in the defeat.
