Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s Erin Baxter tries to drive past a Minnesota State University, Mankato defender during their game on Friday. The Mustangs fell to the Mavericks 56-53.

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State went on a late third quarter run to take a six-point lead into the final frame, but Minnesota State outscored SMSU 18-9 in the fourth and narrowly escaped with a 56-53 win on Friday night in the R/A Facility.

Erin Baxter led SMSU in scoring with 12 points as nine different SMSU players registered at least one field goal on the night.

SMSU went a combined 17 of 39 (44 percent) shooting in the first three quarters but struggled offensively in the final quarter, going 3 of 12 (25 percent) as a team over the final ten minutes.

The Mustangs suffered from its second highest turnover total on the season (26) while also giving up 21 offensive rebounds to the Mavericks. MSU held a 28-6 advantage in points off of turnovers and a 15-7 advantage in second chance points.

SMSU trailed by just one at halftime despite giving up extra possessions from 11 turnovers and 11 Minnesota State offensive rebounds in the first two quarters.

SMSU shot a respectable 46 percent (11 of 24) in the opening half but MSU held a combined 13-4 advantage in points off turnovers and second chance points.

Minnesota State’s Taylor Klug led all scorers in the first half with 12 points while the rest of the Mavericks’ lineup went just 5 of 25 (20 percent) from the floor in the opening half.

The two teams traded short runs throughout the first half, which was tied for 5:22 as Minnesota State was able to edge out a 27-26 lead at the break.

SMSU went on an 11-2 run over the final five minutes of the third quarter and led by six going into the fourth, but the Mustangs would go scoreless over the final 2:58 and missed multiple opportunities to take the lead down the stretch.

MSU knocked down three free throws in the final 23 seconds to escape with a 23rd consecutive win over SMSU.

Southwest Minnesota State will now host its regular season finale today afternoon beginning at 5 p.m., taking on Concordia-St. Paul.

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