Box Score WAYNE, Neb. --- The #17 Minnesota State men's basketball team was firing on all cylinders Friday evening as it defeated the Wayne State Wildcats 86-55.

With the win, MSU improves to 9-2 on the season, including a 3-1 mark in NSIC play. With the loss, WSC falls to 3-5, including a 0-4 record in league play.

As a team, the Mavericks connected on 26-of-49 (.531) shots from the field, including a 9-of-20 (.450) performance from beyond the arc. MSU also connected on 25-of-33 (.758) shots from the line.

Freshman Mike Busack led the Maverick offense with a career-high 17 points, including a 4-of-7 showing from three point land. Junior Zach Monaghan added 16 points and passed out a team-high five assists, while junior Assem Marei posted 13 points, while shooting 6-of-6 from the field.

Junior Zach Romashko tallied 10 points, while seniors Connor O'Brien and Tanner Adler each posted eight points and a team-high six rebounds.

Both teams were knotted up at 10 with 15:40 left in the first half, but MSU would take charge as it outscored the Wildcats 42-14 through the remainder of the first half to take a 52-24 lead into the locker room.

The Mavericks shot the lights out in the first half as they connected on 18-of-26 (.692) shots from the field, including a lethal 7-of-10 (.700) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also passed out 11 assists and posted 17 rebounds compared to eight by the Wildcats.

Monaghan led all scorers in the first half with 11 points, while Busack dropped in 10 points.

The second half saw MSU outscore Wayne State 34-31, en route to an 86-55 win, as the Mavericks led by at least 21 points throughout the entire second half.

Jamie Pearson led the Wildcat offense with 15 points, while Adol Aluong tallied nine points and three assists.

The Mavericks wrap up their two-game road trip Saturday as they take on the Augustana Vikings. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m.
 
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