WAYNE, Neb. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team ended its two-game road trip on a high note Saturday evening as it topped Wayne State 76-59.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 6-2, including a 1-1 record in NSIC play. With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 2-5, including a 1-2 record in league action.

The first half saw eight lead changes as neither team led by more than seven points throughout the opening stanza.

With 12:05 to go in the first half, senior Jalen Pendleton knotted up the score at 16, before senior Lucas Brown put the Mavericks in front with another layup a minute later. The Mavericks would hold the lead through the final 11 minutes of the half as they carried a 37-33 lead into halftime.

Junior Mike Busack and freshman Joey Witthus led the Mavericks in the first half with 11 points each, with Witthus posting a 3-of-3 showing from beyond the arc. Pendelton also added seven points off the bench.

As a team, MSU shot 51.6% from the field in the first half, including a 45.5% showing from long range.

Adam Moon paced the Wildcat offense in the first half with eight points. As a unit, WSC shot 63.6% from the field in the first half.

The Mavericks led throughout the entire second half as the Wildcats could only get within three of MSU at 51-48 with 13:20 to go in the game. The Mavericks went on a 12-0 run to go up 63-48 with 8:46 remaining and they never looked back as they led by double-digits the rest of the way as to closed out the game with a 76-59 win.

Five Mavericks finished with double-digits in the scoring column, including Busack who posted a career-high 22 points, to go with 10 rebounds, for his third career double-double. Witthus finished his game with 14 points, while junior Jon Fuqua and Pendleton added 11 points each, with Pendelton passing out six helpers. Senior Snoop Viser added 10 points and six assists as well.

As a team, MSU shot 54.7% from the field, to go along with a 52.6% showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also controlled the boards, holding a 34-25 advantage over the Wildcats.

Matt Thomas led the Wildcats with 12 points, while Moon added 10.

The Mavericks open the home portion of their NSIC schedule on Friday as they host the Upper Iowa Peacocks at Taylor Center. The opening tip is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

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