Box Score MANKATO, Minn. --- It came down to the end Friday night in Taylor Center, but it was the No. 21 Minnesota State men's basketball team that would come out on top as it won its 20th game of the season with a 77-68 win over Southwest Minnesota State.

With the win, MSU improves to 20-4, including a 14-3 record in NSIC play. With the loss, SMSU falls to 14-9, with an 11-6 league record. With their win, the Mavericks posted their 13th 20-win season in program history.

The Mavericks were led by the duo of juniors Zach Monaghan and Assem Marei. Monaghan recorded his seventh career double-double with 23 points and 11 assists, while Marei notched 21 points, six rebounds and a career-high six blocks in the winning effort.

Senior Gage Wooten added 10 points, while sophomore TJ Okafor posted a team-high seven rebounds.

As a team, MSU connected on 27-of-55 (.491) shots from the field, including a 7-of-14 (.500) showing from three point range. The Mavericks also brought down 36 rebounds and passed out 18 assists.

Matt Zager led the Mustang offense with 23 points, while Nick Smith added six points and 10 rebounds.

The first half saw a close encounter as the lead changed hands on 12 occasions. Neither team led by more than five points through the first half as both teams were tied at 37 in the final seconds of the first session. Monaghan knocked down a three with six seconds left in the half to send the Mavericks into the locker room with a 40-37 lead.

Monaghan led all scorers in the first half with 13 points and five assists, while Marei tallied 11 points and four rebounds.

As a unit, MSU shot 53.6% from the field in the first half, including a 5-of-8 (.625) showing from beyond the arc.

Zager led the Mustang offense in the first half with 11 points.

The second half proved to be just as competitive as the first as the lead changed hand eight more times. SMSU led by six at 51-45 with 14:17 left in the game, but the Mavericks would rally and eventually take the lead for good at 67-66 with 4:47 left in the game. MSU outscored the Mustangs 10-2 in the final 4:47 to secure the 77-68 win.

The Mavericks wrap up their regular season home schedule Saturday as they host the Sioux Falls Cougars. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m.

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