ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- Five Mavericks reached double digits in scoring, but Minnesota State fell short in the final seconds at St. Cloud State, 68-67, Saturday afternoon at Halenbeck Hall.

Minnesota State (8-16, 6-12 NSIC) dictated the pace opening the contest with a 12-4 run.  Sophomore Taylor Klug highlighted the streak with a triple from the corner to force a St. Cloud State (14-7, 11-6 NSIC) timeout with 5:56 on the clock. The Huskies battled back to cut the deficit down to two, 15-13, at the 54 second mark. Freshman Kirstin Klitzke closed the frame strong with the final five points of the quarter to make the score 20-13 after one quarter of play.

Minnesota State continued to roll on offense in the second frame opening up its largest lead of the game, 23-15, after freshman Brooke Tonsfeldt drained a layup in traffic at the 7:53 mark. St. Cloud State responded with seven straight points to pull within one, 23-22. Klug halted the run with a clutch three pointer, 26-22, at the 5:04 mark. Minnesota State headed to the locker room with a 30-26 advantage.

At the break, Senior Claire Ziegler led the Mavericks with eight points and five rebounds. Klug also contributed eight points and shot 50.0% from three. Minnesota State shot 37.0% from the field in comparison to St. Cloud State's 41.7%.

The Huskies surged back starting the second half with a 6-2 run and connecting on their first three possessions to deadlock the contest at 32. Both teams then went back in forth in a quarter that saw four ties. After both teams exchanged buckets, Minnesota State established a six point, 45-39, edge after a pair of Klitzke free throws. Minnesota State led after three quarters, 47-43.

St. Cloud State began the final frame with seven unanswered points leading to a three point, 50-47, edge with 8:28 on the scoreboard. The Huskies continued to apply pressure creating their largest lead of the game, 56-51. Minnesota State battled back to lock the contest at 56 after Tonsfeldt created a steal and finished with a layup to force a St. Cloud State timeout with 6:12 remaining. The Huskies then capitalized on Maverick turnovers to establish a late four point, 67-63, advantage.

Junior Monica Muth pulled the Mavericks back within two, 67-65, with a crucial layup at the 10 second mark. Following a Huskies made free throw, Muth struck again for the Mavericks with a long two to cut the deficit to one, 68-67, with three seconds to play. However, St. Cloud State was able to elude Minnesota State defenders in the final moments to steal the 68-67 win.

As a team, St. Cloud State held the edge in rebounds (33-26) while Minnesota State had the advantage in assists (15-14). The Mavericks shot 47.2% from the field in comparison to the Huskies 54.0%.

Tonsfeldt fueled Minnesota State with a team-best and season-high 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. Ziegler posted her eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and game-high 10 rebounds. Three more Mavericks reached double digits in scoring: Klug (13), Muth (11), and Klitzke (10).

Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center on Feb. 9 hosting Upper Iowa. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.