Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- It turned out to be a close encounter between #17 Minnesota State and Sioux Falls Friday evening but it was MSU that came out on top with a 103-101 victory.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 24-4 on the season, including an 18-3 NSIC record. With the loss, the Cougars fall to 16-11, with an 11-10 league record.

MSU has now won eight straight games, marking its longest winning streak on the season. The Mavericks also posted their fourth 100-point game of the season in their victory over the Cougars.

The Maverick starters provided the bulk of the offense as they accounted for 95 of MSU's points. Senior Connor O'Brien notched a career-high 27 points, including a 10-of-12 showing from the field, to go along with eight rebounds, while junior Assem Marei notched his 15th career double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Junior Zach Monaghan added 21 points and nine assists, while senior Tanner Adler notched 15 points. Senior Gage Wooten dropped in 11 points, while junior Zach Romashko notched eight points off the bench.

As a unit, MSU shot 58.6% from the field and 79.4% (27-of-34) from the free throw line. The Mavericks also outrebounded the Cougars 41-22 and passed out a total of 12 assists.

Charles Ward led the Cougars with 28 points, while Derek Brown posted 24 points.

The first half featured a close encounter as the lead changed hands six time between the Mavericks and the Cougars through the first 20 minutes of play. The Cougars opened the game with an 11-2 lead, only to see the Mavericks claw their way back into the contest.

MSU had a seven point lead in the closing seconds of the first half, before Monaghan launched a half court shot at the buzzer to give the Mavericks a 55-45 lead heading into the locker room.

O'Brien led all scorers with 19 points in the first half, to go along withe six rebounds. Monaghan dropped in 13 points and passed out six assists in the first frame, while Adler and Marei each posted nine first half points.

As a team, MSU shot 61.3% (19-of-31) from the field in the opening session, as it outrebounded the Cougars 23-7. The Mavericks also hit 11-of-13 (.846) shots from the line.

The second half saw the Mavericks maintain the lead throughout as they led by as many as 13 points. With just under two minutes to play, MSU led by nine at 99-90, but the Cougars put together a rally and pulled within one of MSU at 102-101 with 15 seconds left.

Adler went to the line for the Mavericks and hit one of his two shots to give MSU a 103-101 lead with seven seconds left. Ward brought down the rebound on Adler's second attempt and ran down court to try and tie it with a lay up, but his shot rattled out to give MSU the victory.  

The Mavericks wrap up their regular season schedule Saturday as they travel to Southwest Minnesota State. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. Should MSU defeat the Mustangs, it will win at least a share of the NSIC regular season and south division championships

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