MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team remained perfect at Taylor Center this season as it dropped the University of Mary Marauders 82-71.

With the win, MSU improves to 17-5, with a 12-4 NSIC record. With the loss, the Marauders drop to 6-15, including a 4-13 mark in league action.

The first have saw an even battle as the lead changed hands a total of seven times in the opening 20 minutes. The Marauders managed to build an early seven-point lead at 13-6, but the Mavericks would storm right storm right back and take the lead at 14-13 just three minutes later. MSU managed to take a 37-35 lead into the locker room after a last-second three pointer from freshman TJ Lake.

Four Mavericks scored at least seven points in the first half, including senior Assem Marei who tallied nine points. Senior Zach Romashko added eight points as well.

Bryan Jefferson led all scorers in the first half with 18 points, as he connected on 8-of-10 shots from the field.

The second half featured some more back and forth action as U-Mary led by one at 55-54 with 8:57 left in the game. The final nine minutes of the game saw the Mavericks outscore the Marauders 28-16 as they close out their ninth win this season in Taylor Center with an 82-71 win.

Senior Zach Monaghan finished the game with a team-high 20 points, to go along with nine assists. Marei recorded his 25th career double-double as he tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Romashko and sophomore Mike Busack chipped in with 13 points each.

MSU finished the evening shooting 47.4% from the field, to go along with a 20-of-25 (.800) showing from the free throw line. The Mavericks held the edge on the glass as they hauled in 40 rebounds compared to U-Mary's 27.

Jefferson finished with a game-high 21 points, as the Mavericks held him to just three points in the second half. Marquealis Edwards added 15 points as well.

The Marauders finished the game shooting 46.2% from the field.

The Mavericks continue their homestand on Saturday as they host the Minot State Beavers. The opening tip is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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