Taylor Klug of MSU, who had a game-high 24 points, hit a baseline jumper from 10 feet at the buzzer to lift MSU to the win. Despite falling at home, the Cougars will claim the NSIC South's No 3 seed in the upcoming NSIC Postseason Tournament, which begins Wednesday. In cross bracketing, USF will host NSIC North No. 6 seed University of Mary at the Stewart Center as part of a men's and women's NSIC Tournament doubleheader at 6 p.m. It is the third straight year that the USF Women's BB Team will host the opening round of the tournament.

Before the game against MSU, USF recognized senior Moira Duffy during a Senior Day ceremony.

After scoring just two points in the first half, Szymanski caught fire in the second half. In fourth quarter, she had 16 points, including a stretch of 10 straight in which helped USF rally from a nine point deficit. Her basket with 2.2 seconds to go on a driving lay-up gave the Cougars the lead until Klug answered at the buzzer, sending USF to its fourth straight home loss.

Szymanski hit 8-of-16 shots, including 2-of-3 from three point range, while recording three steals. The sophomore now has five 20-point games this season and in her career. She also had her 14th double digit scoring game this season.  Sophomore Kaely Hummel added 16 points, recording her 26th straight double digit scoring game this season. Reaching double figures for the seventh time was sophomore Augusta Thramer with 13 points while adding four steals and three rebounds.  Junior Jacey Huinker supplied nine rebounds, four assists and four rebounds.

The two teams played to an 11-11 tie in the first quarter before MSU took a 24-21 lead at halftime. With a 17-15 margin in the third quarter, the Mavericks built a 41-36 lead after three quarters. Led by Szymanski, USF, which hit 10-of-14 shots for 71.4 percent in the fourth quarter, held a 24-20 edge in the fourth quarter but fell just short. In that same quarter, the Mavericks were 8-of-14 for 57.1 percent, to just hold off USF.

On the night, the Cougars made 20-of-49 from the field for 40.8 percent, including 4-of-10 from three-point range as well as 16-of-18 from the foul line. MSU held a slight shooting edge as they made 42.1 percent from the field on 24-of-57 shooting. The Mavericks, who were 9-of-18 from the foul line, had a 4-of-13 shooting performance from three-point range.

Game Breakdown -

After MSU opened up a 5-0 lead, Szymanski scored on a fast-break layup and Hummel hit a jumper to cut MSU lead to 5-4 at the 7:10 mark. MSU maintained the lead until late in the quarter when Thramer knocked down a pair of free throws and converted a lay-up to held the Cougars draw even at the quarter break.

Early in the second quarter, MSU opened quickly with a pair of field goals but Lauren Sander's three-pointer kept USF close at 15-14. But the Mavericks had the momentum, using a 6-0 run to take a 21-14 lead. However, the Cougars answered with their own 6-0 burst as the Mavericks led just 21-20 with 3:38 to play. Neither team mounted much offense down the stretch of the second quarter as MSU led 24-21 at halftime.

As the third quarter opened, Thramer hit four three throws and then converted a lay-up to tie the game at 27 with eight minutes to play. MSU answered with five straight to take a 32-27 advantage at the 6:10 mark.  Both teams had trouble scoring until jumper and a three from Klug with 3:10 left helped the Mavericks to a 40-31 advantage. After Szymanski hit a pair of free throws, Hummel had "and 1" to draw USF within 40-36 with 2:11 to play. At the break, MSU clung to a 41-36 advantage.   

Szymanski opened the fourth quarter with a driving lay-up to reduce the MSU lead to 41-38. But Claire Zeigler, who had a double double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, anticipated a USF pass, stole the ball and finished for a 45-38 advantage. The two teams then traded threes, including one by Szymanski, who began a 10-point run and a one-person show to bring USF back into the game. She made a couple of jumpers and then connected on a three at the 4:55 mar to tie the game at 50.  MSU regained a 57-52 lead (2:04) but the Cougars kept responding.  Huinker made a lay-up (1:38) and Thramer had two foul shots (1:14) to help USF draw within 57-56.

After Klug connected on a jumper, Hummel converted a driving lay-up with 48 seconds left as the MSU lead stayed at one point.

When Klug missed a jumper and Duffy grabbed one of her five rebounds, USF had possession down a point. USF called a timeout and USF Head Coach Travis Traphagen set up a play for Szymanski, who brought the Stewart Center crowd to its feet by finishing a lay-up as USF took a 60-59 advantage with 2.2 seconds to play.

MSU called a timeout and set up Klug whose jumper helped MSU defeat USF and end a run of six straight losses.