MANKATO — The Southwest Minnesota State University womens basketball team came within a single point of the No. 2 Minnesota State Mavericks in Saturday’s Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchup, but fell short of handing the Mavs their first loss, falling 79-71.

SMSU trailed by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, but a 7-0 run quickly cut the deficit to 70-65 with three minutes to play. Three straight free throws from Kylan Gerads, two from Maddie Thorfinnson and another from Allie Haabala gave SMSu another 6 unanswered points to bring the score to 72-71 with a minute left, but the Mavericks made their free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

Gerads finished with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Mustangs while Audrey Swanson added another 10 points and seven rebounds with four assists. Natalie Nielsen finished with 7 points and nine rebounds while Thorfinnson added another 9 points.

SMSU falls to 13-10 (11-7 NSIC) with the loss, putting them in sixth place in the conference standings. The Mustangs next host Winona State on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.