KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team dropped its season opener to Washburn, 78-65, at the Central Region Challenge Friday evening. 

Minnesota State started fast with back-to-back buckets from Claire Ziegler and Taylor Klug to make the score 4-0. The Mavericks then opened up their largest lead of the game, 14-4, as Klug buried a three at the 6:46 mark. Minnesota State led after the first quarter of play, 20-13. 

In the second quarter, Claire Jordan was able to connect on a jumper to stretch the Mavericks edge to nine, 24-15, with 7:55 to play in the half. The Ichabods responded with a 9-0 run to lock the game at 24 before the media timeout. Minnesota State answered with a 4-0 run of its own to make the score 28-24 following a Ziegler lay up. Minnesota State led at the break, 38-31. 

At halftime, the Mavericks held the edge in rebounds, 19-15, while the Ichabods held the advantage in assists, 6-5. Minnesota State also shot 51.7% from the field. 

In the third quarter, Minnesota State was able to increase its lead to eight, 40-32, as Ziegler netted a lay up. Washburn battled back to steal the lead, 45-44, with 3:44 on the clock. Minnesota State trailed after three, 52-49. 

Ziegler pulled the Mavericks back within four, 54-50, after a made free throw with 9:31 remaining. The Ichabods then began to take control with a 5-0 run to increase their lead to 59-50 at the 8:27 mark. Minnesota State couldn't get any closer and went on to fall, 78-65. 

Both teams collected 36 rebounds while Washburn held the edge in assists, 15-6. Minnesota State shot 42.4% from the field and 25.0% from three. 

Jordan paced the Mavericks with a team-best and career-high 16 points to go along with three rebounds and three steals. Ziegler also reached double figures in points with 16 and collected a team-high six rebounds.Monica Muth rounded out the top performers with nine points and four rebounds. 

Minnesota State returns to the floor tomorrow against Pittsburg State. Tip-off is set for 6:45 p.m.