CROOKSTON, Minn. --- Buoyed by a strong second half, the 21st-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team earned its second road victory of the weekend as it downed the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles 80-50.

With the win, MSU improves to 14-3, with a 9-2 NSIC record. With the loss, UMC falls to 6-10, with a 4-8 league record.

The Mavericks shot above 50% for the second straight game as they hit 32-of-59 (.542) shots from the field, to go along with 40 rebounds, including 10 offensive rebounds.

Seniors Assem Marei and Zach Monaghan each dropped in 22 points, while Marei hauling in 11 rebounds for his 24th career double-double. Monaghan passed out nine assists as well.

Senior Connor Miller added 14 points, while freshman TJ Lake tallied 13 points and six rebounds.

Tim Lubke led the Golden Eagle offense with 11 points, while Kevin Larson added 10 points and four rebounds.

The Mavericks led through the majority of the first half as they led by as many as 14 points. As a team, MSU shot 51.6% from the field, to go along with 19 rebounds and a 6-of-7 (.857) showing from the line.

With 10:23 left in the first half, MSU built an 11-point lead after Monaghan drained a shot from behind the arc. Minnesota Crookston managed to get back within six points but it would get no closer in the opening session as MSU carried a 39-28 lead into the break.

Monaghan led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, while Marei tallied 15 points and seven rebounds.

Tyler West led the Golden Eagle offense with six points in the first half, as UMC shot 12-of-27 (.444) from the field in the first half.

The Mavericks built a 20-point lead at 57-37 with 12:52 remaining in the second half and they would lead by more than 20 points throughout the remainder of the game as they went on to secure the 80-50 win.

MSU shot 57.1% from the field in the second frame.

Minnesota State returns home for a pair of games at Taylor Center beginning on Friday as they take on Southwest Minnesota State. The opening tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.

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