MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team won its tenth game in Taylor Center this season as it defeated the Minot State Beavers 81-62.

With the win the Mavericks improve to 18-5 on the season, including a 13-5 NSIC record. With the loss, the Beavers fall to 12-12 on the season, including a 7-11 league record.

The first half saw the Mavericks lead most of the way through the first 20 minutes of competition. MSU built an early double-digit lead at 21-10 with 12:22 left in the half. With just 3:30 to go in the half the Mavericks still led by 11 at 33-22 but the Beavers were able to pull within seven as MSU carried a 38-31 lead into halftime.

Senior Zach Monaghan led all scorers with 14 points in the first half, while senior Assem Marei added seven points and five rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 52% from the field, to go along with an 8-of-11 (.727) showing from the charity stripe.

Michael Pelo led the Beavers in the first half with seven points, while Dominique McDonald added six points and four rebounds. Collectively, the Beavers connected on 14-of-33 (.424) shots from the field in the first half.

The Mavericks quickly rebuilt their double-digit lead in the second half as freshman TJ Lake put MSU up 49-38. MSU would maintain at least a 10-point lead throughout the rest of the second half as it locked down the 81-62 win.

Both Marei and Monaghan finished the game with a game-high 18 points,with Marei bringing down nine rebounds and Monaghan passing out nine assists. Lake added 10 points as well.

MSU finished the game shooting 48.1% from the field, to go along with an 18-of-22 showing from the line. MSU also hauled in 34 rebounds and passed out 17 assists.

Lamont Prosser led Minot State with 15 points, while Pelo chipped in with 10 points.

As a team, the Beavers shot 41.3% from the field, to go along with 42 rebounds and 11 assists.

The Mavericks continue play in Taylor Center on Tuesday as they host the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. The opening tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.

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