MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State saw several players make some key contributions Friday evening in Taylor Center as the Mavericks topped the Peru State Bobcats 92-73.

With the win, MSU improves to 4-1 on the season, including a 3-0 mark in Taylor Center.

Freshman Joey Witthus led all scorers in the game with 22 points, including a 5-of-8 performance from behind the line. Junior Mike Busack added 19 points, just one shy of his career-high, while senior Jalen Pendleton notched 16 points and a team-leading nine assists and seven rebounds. Junior Jon Fuqua added 11 points and eight rebounds as well.

As a team, MSU shot 48.5% from the field, including an 18-of-33 (.545) showing in the second stanza. The Mavericks also hauled in 40 rebounds and passed out 20 assists, while posting 10 steals, five of which came from Busack.

Three Bobcats including Corday Sims, Quantice Hunter and Kris Frazier led Peru State with 13 points each.

Both teams poured on the points early on in the first half as the Bobcats held a 13-11 lead with 15:58 to go in the half. MSU would then go on a 10-0 run to take a 21-13 lead but PSC was able to pull within one of the Mavericks at 25-24 with 7:12 to go in the half.

The Mavericks would respond through the final seven minutes of the half as they outscored the Bobcats 18-7 to take a 43-31 lead into the locker room.

Witthus led all scorers in the first half with 14 points, including a 4-of-7 showing from behind the arc. Busack and freshman Cole Harper each chipped in with six points in the first half, with Harper hauling in six rebounds. Pendleton passed out a team-high five assists in the first half as well.

As a team, MSU shot 42.9% from the field in the first half, to go along with a 6-of-6 showing from the line. The Mavericks also passed out 11 assists and forced nine Peru State turnovers.

Sims led the PSC offense in the first half with 11 points.

The Mavericks led by double-figures throughout most of the second half. The Bobcats were able to get within eight at 75-67 with 4:02 to go in the game, but that was as close as they would get as the Mavericks outscored PSC 17-6 through the final four minutes to lock down the 92-73 win.

The Mavericks wrap up their homestand on Saturday as they host the Grand View Vikings at Taylor Center. The opening tip is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

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