KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team dropped an 84-60 decision to Pittsburg State Saturday night at the Central Region Challenge. 
  
With the win, Pittsburg State opens its season with a 2-0 overall record. With the loss, Minnesota State drops to 0-2 overall on the season.

The Gorillas started fast with a 10-3 edge by the 6:03 mark of the opening quarter. Following the media timeout, Monica Muth was able to generate a steal which led to a Logan Anderson layup to make the score 14-5.Taylor Drost then completed the 4-0 run for the Mavericks with a jumper, 14-7, with 3:41 remaining in the quarter. The Gorillas then went on to increase their lead into double digits, 18-8, by the 2:40 mark. Minnesota State trailed after one, 23-13. 

Ashley Reed got the scoring started in the second quarter for the Mavericks with a layup in the paint to pull the Mavericks within eight, 23-15. Minnesota State continued to battle as Heidi Cap collected an offensive rebound and found Taylor Klug on the perimeter for the triple, 34-20, with 2:36 remaining in the half. However, Pittsburg State led at the intermission, 41-23. 

The Gorillas held the edge in rebounds (21-20) and assists (8-2). Pittsburg State shot 52.7% from the field in comparison to Minnesota State's 28.1%. Klug paced the Mavericks with five points and three rebounds while Cap contributed a team-best five rebounds. 

Minnesota State came out of the locker room with a fast start as Claire Ziegler connected on jumper to make the score 41-25. Later in the quarter, Klug got her second three of the night to drop, 48-31, at the 7:07 mark. The Gorillas then began to pull away stretching their lead to 62-40 with 2:35 remaining in the quarter. Minnesota State trailed after three quarters, 68-44. 

In the final quarter, Muth was able to find Anderson for the three pointer to make the score 72-42. A couple of possessions later, Reed was able to the drive the lane for a layup, 74-49, with 5:31 to play. Pittsburg State went on to close out the remaining time and pick up the 84-60 win. 

As a team, Pittsburg State held the slight edge in rebounds (39-37), and assists (17-3). The Gorillas shot 54.4% from the field in comparison to the Mavericks 35.5%. 

Reed led the Mavericks with a team-best and career-high 14 points to go along with five rebounds. Klug also reached the double figure plateau with 12 points of her own. Muth contributed eight points to go along with six rebounds. Cap rounded out the top performers with six rebounds. 

Minnesota State will host Black Hills State in its home opener on Tuesday at Taylor Center. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.