Minnesota State 91, Parkside 83
Home court couldn't stop the Rangers tough stretch as the team dropped their home opener, and fourth straight game.
 
FIRST HALF
The game started out fast, as the teams each scored eight points in the first two and a half minutes of the game. The pace of the game was high, as Minnesota State pushed the tempo throughout the contest. The Mavericks got an early 15-12 lead before the Rangers tied it up with a three from redshirt-sophomore Claire Jakaitis. Jakaitis then gave Parkside the 18-15 lead on the next possession with another three pointer. There were ups and downs throughout the next quarter for the Green & White, but they held that lead until a minute left in the first half when a Minnesota State three stole the lead going into the half.
 
SECOND HALF
Coming out of the halftime break trailing 44-41, Parkside looked to grab back the lead they had throughout much of the first half. However, Minnesota State had other plans as they went on their largest run of the game throughout the quarter, outscoring the Rangers 22-10 to take a 66-51 advantage into the final frame. Parkside wouldn't go away as sophomore Alyssa Nelson and senior Carolina Rahkonen combined for eight points early in the fourth quarter to cut the Minnesota State lead 69-59. With the lead at 10, the Green & White stormed back, as they brought the lead to 77-76 on an and-one from senior Taylor Stephen with 2:17 left in the game. The Mavericks responded with a 14-7 run to close, and took the game.
 
STATWORTHY
Nelson led Parkside on the offensive end, scoring 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go with six rebounds. Stephen and Rahkonen also contributed 13 points apiece.
 
Parkside was outrebounded 31-26 on the day, and also lost the turnover battle, 21-12.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The team will head to Allendale, Mich. for their GLIAC opener against No. 3 Grand Valley State on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Following, they will take on Davenport on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Noon.