ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- The #14 Minnesota State men's basketball team wrapped up its regular season nonconference schedule on a high note as it trounced the Eckerd College Tritons 86-70.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 5-1 on the season, while the Spartans fall to 3-2. MSU has now won its last five games.

The first half saw both teams knotted up at nine points with 13:47 left in the half. MSU would then go on a 24-0 run to go up 33-9 with 4:01 left in the half, before heading into the locker room with a 39-17 lead.

Senior Assem Marei led all scorers in the first half with 14 points, to go along with seven rebounds.

As a team, MSU shot 60.7% (17-of-28) from the field in the first half. The Mavericks also hauled in 21 rebounds compared to the Tritons 12.

The second half saw the Mavericks maintain a double-digit lead throughout the final 20 minutes. The Tritons managed to get within 15 of MSU but that was as close as they would get as the Mavericks claimed the 86-70 win.

Marei and freshman Assem Marei led all scorers with 20 points each, with Marei posting nine rebounds and seven assists as well.  Senior Connor Miller added 15 points and seven assists, while sophomore Mike Busack dropped in 12 points.

As a team, MSU shot 65.3% from the field as it connected on 32-of-49 shots. The Mavericks also shot 54.5% from long range and passed out 20 assists.

Keyshawn Ingram led the Tritons with 14 points, while Jerrick Stevenson added 13 points and six rebounds.

The Mavericks open the NSIC portion of their schedule on Friday as they host the #19 Augustana Vikings at Taylor Center. The opening tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
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