MANKATO, Minn. – Junior Monica Muth posted her second straight double-double but MSU Moorhead outlasted Minnesota State, 81-64, to snap the Mavericks three-game win streak Saturday night at Taylor Center.

Muth opened the scoring for Minnesota State (4-8, 2-4 NSIC) connecting from behind the arc to give the Mavericks the early lead. Three point scoring helped MSU Moorhead (8-3, 5-2 NSIC) open up a 13-5 edge by the media timeout after shooting three-for-five from long range to open the contest. Minnesota State upped the offensive pressure late in the quarter with Kirstin Klitzke and Claire Ziegler earning trips to the foul line. However, Minnesota State trailed after one, 26-20.

MSU Moorhead opened the second frame on a 16-3 run through the first five minutes to increase its lead into double digits, 42-23. Brooke Tonsfeldt came off the bench and converted a layup to halt the Dragons streak with 3:57 remaining in the half. The Mavericks trailed at the halfway point, 44-28.

Muth led the Minnesota State scoring effort in the first half with five points. Seven total Mavericks tallied a basket in the half with the Minnesota State bench outscoring MSU Moorhead, 13-11.

The Maverick defense earned multiple stops in the third quarter allowing the offense to find momentum. With 4:24 remaining in the quarter,Taylor Klug created a steal and then drained a triple on the opposite end of the floor to make the score 51-39. Klug scored the next four points for the Mavericks and Ziegler contributed a layup to pull the Mavericks within eight, 53-45. Minnesota State outscored MSU Moorhead 25-15 in the third frame but trailed after three quarters, 59-53.

The Mavericks defense started the last frame with a block from Tonesfeldt to keep the defensive pressure on the Dragons. Logan Anderson and Klitzke brought Minnesota State within two, 59-57, with 7:47 left in the game. MSU Moorhead retaliated to quickly push their edge back into double figures, 71-61, following a Cassidy Thorson three pointer with 3:33 remaining. Minnesota State could not complete the comeback and went on to fall, 81-64.

MSU Moorhead held the edge in rebounds (46-38) and assists (18-8). The Dragons shot 45.0% from the field in comparison to the Mavericks 32.4%.

Muth paced Minnesota State with her second straight and third double-double of the season with 11 points and team-best 12 rebounds. Ziegler netted a team-high 15 points to go along with four rebounds. Klug rounded out the top performers with 11 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow hosting No. 19 Northern State. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.