JOPLIN, Mo. --- It proved to be a team effort Saturday evening as Minnesota State saw five Mavericks score at least 10 points in its 79-67 victory over Missouri Southern State.

With the win MSU improves to 1-1 on the season, while MSSU falls to 1-1.

The first half saw a close game early on as the Lions held a one point lead at 13-12 with 11:32 to go in the half. MSSU was able to extend its lead to seven at 25-18 after a layup by Taylor Lester with just 5:29 to go in the half. The Mavericks would respond with a 7-0 run to knot up the score at 25 but the Lions were able to take a 31-28 lead into halftime.

Junior Jon Fuqua led the Mavericks with 11 points and five rebounds in the first half, while senior Jalen Pendleton added five points, four rebounds and three assists.

As a unit, MSU shot 30.3% from the field in the first half, to go along with 22 rebounds and seven assists.

Taevaunn Prince led all scorers in the first half with 13 points.

The Mavericks wasted no time in the second half as they grabbed the lead at 35-32 with 18:55 to go in the game. MSU built a 10-point lead at 61-51 with 7:10 to go, but the Lions were able to get back within three of the Mavericks at 68-65 with 1:48 remaining.

This was as close as the Lions would get to the Mavericks as Pendleton scored the game's next eight points to put MSU up 76-65 with 39 seconds left. MSU would go on to lock down the 79-67 win.

Pendleton finished his day with a team-high 17 points, including a perfect 8-of-8 showing from the line. Fuqua recorded his first career double-double as a Maverick as he notched 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior Snoop Viser and junior Mike Busack each chipped in with 13 points, with Viser adding a team-leading eighth assists, while sophomore TJ Lake recorded 10 points, including a 3-of-3 showing from behind the arc.

As a team, MSU shot 41.2% from the field, to go along with a 16-of-19 (.842) showing from the charity stripe. The Mavericks also forced 10 MSSU turnovers, while passing out 16 assists.

Prince led the Lions with 29 points and 17 rebounds, while Greg Renfroe tallied 10 points and four rebounds.

The Mavericks return to Taylor Center for their next four games beginning Wednesday as they take on Clarke College. The opening tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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