SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team got a couple of big performances Friday evening as it topped Sioux Falls 78-73.

With the win, MSU improved to 21-6 on the season, including a 16-5 NSIC record. With the loss, USF falls to 8-19, with a 5-16 league record.

The MSU senior duo of Assem Marei and Zach Monaghan provided the biggest punch for the Mavericks as they accounted for 59 points. Marei notched his 28th career double-double as he poured in a career-high 34 points, to go along with 10 rebounds. Marei finished his night shooting 15-of-19 from the field. Monaghan finished his night with 25 points and six assists in 40 minutes of work.

As a team, MSU shot 51% from the field, to go along with a 22-of-31 showing from the free throw line. The Mavericks also hauled in 31 rebounds and forced 14 USF turnovers.

Charles Ward led the Cougar offense with 20 points, while Mack Johnson dropped in 19.

USF shot 46.9% from the field as it tallied 25 rebounds and eight steals. The Cougars also shot 23-of-28 from the free throw line.

The Mavericks began the game hitting their first seven shots from the field as they led 17-2 with 14:56 left in the first half. The Cougars would chip away at MSU's lead and eventually tied the score at 34 with just over three minutes to go.

USF would take its first lead of the game at 39-38 as Ward connected on one of two attempts from the line. MSU had a couple of chances to take the lead before heading into the break but it was not to be as the Cougars held the 39-38 lead heading into halftime.

Marei led all scorers in the first half with 19 points, as he connected on 9-of-12 shots form the field. Monaghan added 11 points as well.

As a team, MSU shot 55.6% from the field, to go  along with 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Ward led the Cougar offense in the first half with 14 points, while Jordan Stotts tallied 11.

The Cougars shot 51.9% from the field in the first half, to go along with a 10-of-11 showing from the line.

MSU took the lead right away in the second and it would hold the lead through the final 18:35 of the second half. The Mavericks led by as many as eight points in the second half as they maintained at least a two-point lead throughout the rest of the final session.

The Mavericks wrap up their regular season schedule on Saturday as they take on Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m.

                                                                    -30-