LINCOLN, Neb. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team fell to Nebraska, 88-55, in exhibition play Sunday afternoon. 

Nebraska started fast and quickly doubled up the Mavericks, 8-4, by the 6:21 mark. Minnesota State answered to pull within one, 8-7, after Taylor Klug drained a three with 5:58 on the clock. The Huskers then retaliated to stretch their lead into double figures, 17-7. Minnesota State trailed after one quarter of play, 20-10. 

The Mavericks opened the second quarter controlling the pace with back-to-back triples from Monica Muth and Taylor Drost to make the score 20-16. The Huskers responded with a 6-0 run to push their lead back to 10, 26-16, at the 7:50 mark. Minnesota State trailed at the halftime, 41-27. 

At the half, Drost paced the Mavericks with a seven points and six rebounds while Klug also added six points of her own. 

Klug got the scoring started in the third frame connecting on a jumper to cut the deficit down to 12, 41-29. Nebraska then used a 14-0 run to take control of the game and make the score 55-29 with 5:04 remaining in the quarter. Minnesota State trailed after the third frame, 64-40. 

In the final quarter, Muth connected on a triple to make the score 70-43. The Mavericks continued to battle through the fourth frame as Klug was able to create a steal leading to a Claire Ziegler jumper, 79-52, with 3:40 remaining. However, Nebraska went on to close out the remaining time and pick up the 88-55 win. 

Drost set the standard for the Mavericks with a team-best 14 points and nine rebounds. Muth netted 13 points and handed out four assists while Klug added 10 points and three steals to round out the top performers. 

 Minnesota State opens the regular season on Friday against Washburn in Kansas City, Mo. Tip-off is set for 6:45 p.m.