SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Sophomore Taylor Klug hit a jumper as time expired to lift Minnesota State past Sioux Falls, 61-60, for the Mavericks fourth straight win Saturday afternoon. Minnesota State closes regular season play winning six of its last eight games.

Klug paced the Mavericks (12-16, 10-12 NSIC) reaching the 20-point scoring plateau for the second straight game and third time this season with a game-high 24 points. The Colgate, Wis., native shot 58.8% (10-17) from the field and 60.0% from downtown (3-5). Senior Claire Ziegler posted her second straight and 10th double-double of the season with 19 points and game-best 11 rebounds.

Klug got things started for Minnesota State draining a three pointer. Ziegler then followed it up with a jumper to put the Mavericks out in front, 5-0, at the 9:02 mark. Minnesota State continued its fast start pushing its edge up to five, 9-4, after sophomore Monica Muth put a layup off the glass with 6:06 on the clock. Sioux Falls (14-12, 11-11 NSIC ) then came alive with a 7-2 run to lock the game at 11 ending the first quarter of play.

Minnesota State responded in the second frame with a 10-3 run to push its lead up seven, 21-14, with 6:05 remaining in the half. Ziegler led the charge for the Mavericks on the hot streak with four points. The Cougars fought back to cut the deficit down to one, 21-20, as Jacy Huinker buried a jumper with 4:03 to play in the half. Minnesota State led at the intermission, 24-21.

At the break, Ziegler led the Mavericks with nine points and seven rebounds. Minnesota State shot 35.7% from the field in comparison to the Cougars 29.6%.

Both teams battled in the opening minutes of the second half to knot the contest up at 27 by the 7:10 mark. The Minnesota State offense then exploded on a 13-4 run to open up its largest lead of the game, 40-31, after Ziegler found Klug on the perimeter for three. The Mavericks took a 41-36 advantage into the final quarter of play.

Both teams traded baskets in the final frame until the Cougars were able to lock the game up at 50 with 5:01 remaining. Minnesota State looked to put the game out reach piecing together a 7-2 run to make the score 57-52 with 2:04 to play. However, Sioux Falls would not go away storming back with a 8-2 run of its own to steal the lead, 60-59, with two seconds remaining. Following a Maverick timeout, Klug was able to connect on a jumper as time expired to seal the win, 61-60.

As a team, Minnesota State held the edge in rebounds (36-30) and assists (14-9). The Mavericks shot 42.1% from the field in comparison to the Cougars 40.8%.

Minnesota State will travel to Minnesota Duluth in the first round of the NSIC / Sanford Health Tournament on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.