MANKATO, Minn. --- The final five minutes saw neither team lead by more than five Friday evening, but it was No. 16 Minnesota State that would come out on top as it downed St. Cloud State 85-81 in Taylor Center.

With the win, MSU improves to 10-2 on the season, including a 5-1 record in NSIC play. With the loss, SCSU drops to 7-6, including a 3-4 league record.

Friday's game proved to be a career night for senior Assem Marei as he established new career-highs with 32 points and 15 rebounds, for his 21st career double-double. Nineteen of his points came in the second session, including two free throws in the final five seconds of the contest.

Senior Zach Monaghan notched his 12th career double-double with 19 points and 10 assists. Monaghan put the game out of reach as he put MSU up 85-81 after a pair of free throws with three seconds left in the game.

Jordan Poydras led the Huskies with 26 points, to go along with seven assists and six rebounds, while James Fort added 15 points.

After taking a 39-31 lead into the locker room, the Mavericks were able to increase their lead to 17 at 52-35 with 15:12 left in the game. The Huskies however, were able to slowly cut into MSU's lead and eventually pulled within seven at 70-63 with 6:46 left in the game.

The Huskies managed to pull within one point of the Mavericks on two occasions late and eventually took their first lead since the opening minutes after Poydras drained a three to put SCSU up 78-76. Undaunted, Monaghan answered right back on MSU's next possession as he hit a three of his own to give the Mavericks the lead for good at 79-78 with 1:33 left in the game.

MSU would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way as it held on to the 85-81 victory.

As a team, MSU shot 49.2% from the field. The Mavericks also outrebounded the Huskies 45-29, to go along with 13 assists.

The Huskies shot 46% from the field as a unit, including a 12-of-29 (.414) showing from behind the arc.

The Mavericks wrap up their homestand on Saturday as they take on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m.

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