Box Score MANKATO, Minn. --- The 16th-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team won its third straight game as it downed Concordia-St. Paul 67-58 Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center.

With the win, MSU improves to 11-2, with a 5-1 record in NSIC play. With the loss, CU falls to 3-7, including a 0-6 mark in league action.

Senior Gage Wooten led the Maverick attack Saturday afternoon as he dropped in a career-high 23 points, to go along with nine rebounds and five assists. He also connected on 80% of his shots from the field, including a 4-of-6 showing from beyond the arc.

Senior Connor O'Brien added 11 points, eight rebounds and matched his career-high with five blocks, a mark that he set earlier this season at Concordia-St. Paul. Junior Zach Monaghan tallied 11 points and seven helpers, while senior Tanner Adler dropped in 10 points as well.

As a team, MSU connected on 22-of-54 (.407) shots from the field, while passing out 15 assists and forcing 13 turnovers.

The Mavericks entered the second half leading by five and maintained a five-point lead throughout as they outscored the Golden Bears 37-33 in the second half to secure the 67-58 win.

Travon Mitchell and Terez Van Pelt led the Golden Bears with 17 points each.

The first half saw Minnesota State lead CU the majority of the way through. The Mavericks led by as many as seven points during the first half, but the Golden Bears were able to close within five at 30-25 heading into the locker room.

Senior Gage Wooten notched seven points, to go along with a career-high five assists. Senior Connor O'Brien added seven points and three blocks as well.

As a team, the Mavericks posted six blocks in the first half and shot 42.9% (12-of-28) from the field.

The Mavericks return to action Friday, Jan. 3, as they host the St. Cloud State Huskies. The opening tip is set for 8 p.m.

                                                                       -30-