Mesa State women's basketball team opened the 2009-2010 season at the Western Oregon/Phoenix Inn Shootout in Monmouth, Oregon Friday night. The Mavs dropped a close contest, 72-64 to Northwest Nazarene.

MSC led 34-28 at half led by Courtney McCaig and Jocelyn Zarling's nine points each. MSC held the lead until the 13:26 mark when Northwest Nazarene went on a 10-0 run and a 50-43 lead. The Mavericks tied the game at 56 on a McCaig trey and held a 3 point lead with just over four minutes remaining. Northwest Nazarene went on another run outscoring MSC 14-3 to close out the game.

Jennifer Landers led all players with 21 points and a team high five rebounds. McCaig and Meagan Selvidge finished with 14 points each. NNU out rebounded MSC 35-30; had 16 assists and five blocked shots. Northwest Nazarene was 24-30 from the foul line while MSC made 14 of 22 from the free throw line.

The Mavericks will play host Western Oregon Saturday night.