BEMIDJI, Minn. --- The #21 Minnesota State men's basketball team proved lethal from behind the three point line Friday evening as it defeated Bemidji State 84-66.

With the win, MSU improves to 13-3 on the season, including a mark of 8-2 in conference play. With the loss, BSU drops to 7-8, including a 3-8 record in league action.

The Maverick offense shot at a 51.8% clip in its win over the Beavers, including a 53.3% showing from behind the arc. MSU's 16 three point field goals established a new season-high, just one shy of MSU's single-game record of 17 set back in the 2013-14 season.

Senior Connor Miller led the Maverick offense with a game-high 23 points, to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Senior Assem Marei notched his 23rd career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, including a 6-of-10 showing from the field.

Freshman TJ Lake added 14 points, while senior Zach Romashko poured in 12 points, including a 4-of-8 showing from behind the arc. Senior Zach Monaghan tallied 10 points and five assists as well. Monaghan now has 601 career assists.

As a team, MSU brought down 34 rebounds compared the Beavers 17. BSU managed just one offensive rebound.

The first six minutes of the first half saw both teams take the lead on a few occasions, before Miller put the Mavericks up for the remainder of the first half as he drained a shot from long range to give MSU a 10-8 lead.

The Mavericks would lead by as many as 10 points, but the Beavers were able to claw their way back to within two points at 36-34 as the first half came to a close.

Miller led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, while Lake added 12 points. Miller and Lake both connected on four shots from long range in the opening session.

The second half saw MSU score the first nine points in 1:18 to increase its lead to 45-34. All nine points came courtesy of sophomore Mike Busack who went 3-of-3 from behind the arc to open the half.

The Beavers managed to get back within five of the Mavericks at 48-43 but that was as close as they would get as MSU would cruise to a 84-66 win.

Brock Lutes led the BSU offense with 15 points, while Cody Risseeuw added 14 points.

The Mavericks conclude their four-game road trip on Saturday as they take on the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles. The opening tip is slated for 6 p.m.

                                                                    -30-