MANKATO, Minn. --- Buoyed by a 42-point second half, the Winona State Warriors handed the Minnesota State men's basketball team its first loss in Taylor Center this season as the Warriors topped the Mavericks 68-66.

With the win, the Warriors improved to 12-11 on the season, including a 9-10 NSIC record. With the loss, MSU fell to 19-6, with a 14-5 NSIC record.

The Mavericks never trailed through the first half of play and led through nearly the first 14 minutes of the second half. MSU led by as many as 14 points in the second half, but Winona State was able to take its first lead of the game with 6:24 left in the game after Tim Wagner connected on a three to give WSU a 58-56 lead.

The lead would change hands three more times as Winona State claimed a one-point lead after Isaiah Gray connected on a pair of free throws to put WSU up 64-63 with 52 seconds left.
 
Winona State would increase its lead to three with 34 seconds left, but senior Connor Miller managed to knot up the score at 66 with a three point shot with 21 seconds left in the game. The Warriors would answer right back as Kyle Bauman notched the game winning jumper to give WSU the 68-66 win.

Senior Assem Marei notched his 26th career double-double as he tallied 24 points and 15 rebounds, to go along with three blocks. Miller added 17 points, five steals and four assists, while freshman TJ Lake added 12 points, all of which came from behind the arc.

As a team, MSU shot 40% from the field, to go along with 32 rebounds and 13 assists.

Bauman led the Warrior offense with 21 points, while Gray added 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

WSU shot 51.9% from the field, to go along with 34 rebounds and 14 helpers.

The Mavericks never trailed through the opening 20 minutes off the game. WSU managed to pull within one point of MSU at 16-15 with 9:57 left in the half. The Mavericks would outscore the Warriors 17-11 in the final 10 minutes of the first half to take a 33-26 lead into halftime.

Lake led the Mavericks in the first half with nine points, as he connected on three shots from behind the arc. Senior Assem Marei added seven points and five rebounds as well.  

As a team, MSU connected on 8-of-18 (.444) shots from behind the arc, to go along with 18 rebounds, while forcing eight Winona State turnovers.

The Mavericks wrap up their regular season home schedule on Saturday as they host the Upper Iowa Peacocks. The opening tip is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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