Mankato, Minn. ---  Sixteenth-ranked Winona State used a 21-point effort from Jon Walburg to earn a 78-72 come-from-behind victory over Minnesota State Saturday evening in front of 1,172 fans in the Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University.

“I thought we did some nice things tonight,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “Unfortunately we also did some things that hurt us down the stretch, we have to do a better job of taking care of the ball.”

The Mavericks led for much of the first half, building a lead as big as eight at 34-26 with three minutes and 55 seconds remaining in the half.  Winona State then used a 6-2 run to close out the half to draw within four at 36-32 at the break.

Nine Mavericks saw eight minutes or more of action in the first half.  Freshman reserve Miles Chamberlain led MSU in scoring with nine points on 4-of-4 shooting. 

Minnesota State hit on 51.9 percent of its shots in the first half, and owned a 19-15 edge on the glass.

Winona State would gain a 39-38 lead early in the second half before MSU used an 8-0 run to push the score to 46-39 with 14:42 left.  The Warriors then used a 10-2 run to regain the lead at 49-48 and never looked back.

Minnesota State would pull within three at 70-67 with 63 seconds left when senior guard #Stephen Kirschbaum# knocked down a jumper but Winona State would go 7-of-12 from the free throw line in the final minute to ice the win.

The Mavericks were led in scoring by Chamberlain who finished with a season-high 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting.  Sophomore Connor O’Brien added 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds while sophomore #Jimmy Whitehead# scored 13.  Kirschbaum rounded out the Mavericks in double-figures with 11 points.

Minnesota State shot 48.3 percent in the game while WSU hit on 45.6.  The Mavericks won the battle of the glass, 35-33, however Winona State forced 11 MSU turnovers, converting them into 15 points.

The Mavericks (3-7, 2-4 NSIC) return to action, Jan. 2, at Minnesota, Crookston.  Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

Freshman guard Miles Chamberlain talks about the game