ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- The #25 Minnesota State men's basketball team won its fifth straight game Saturday as it defeated the St. Cloud State Huskies 86-71 on the road.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 10-2 on the season, including a 5-1 record in NSIC action. With the loss, the Huskies fall to 5-8 and 2-5 in league play. MSU has now won its last five games against St. Cloud State.
The first half saw the Mavericks hold the lead for more than 18 minutes as they shot 46.4% (13-of-28) from the field, to go with a 14-of-18 (.778) showing from the free throw line. The Mavericks also hauled in 16 rebounds and recorded six steals.
MSU trailed SCSU 11-10 early in the first half, but a three point field goal from senior
Snoop Viser gave the Mavericks a 13-11 lead with 13:17 to go in the half. MSU would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way as it out scored the Huskies 31-23 in the final 13 minutes of the half to take a 44-34 lead into the locker room.
Senior
Lucas Brown led the Maverick offense with 11 points in the first half, while freshman
Joey Witthus add 10 points of his own.
Gage Davis led the Huskies in the first half with 14 points, while Eddie Alcantara notched 12 points and six rebounds in the opening session.
The second half saw the Huskies get within seven points of the Mavericks at 61-54 with 9:41 to go in the game, but they would get no closer as the Mavericks outscored SCSU 25-17 through the final 9:41 of the game to claim the 86-71 win.
Junior
Jon Fuqua finished the game with a team-leading 19 points and nine rebounds, to go with an 8-of-13 showing from the field. Witthus added 17 points and five rebounds as well, while freshman
TJ Lake notched 11 points. Brown and senior
Jalen Pendleton added 13 points each as well.
As a team, MSU shot 50% (27-of-54) from the field, to go with a 7-of-18 (.467) performance from behind the arc. The Mavericks also connected on 25 free throws and outrebounded the Huskies 37-28. MSU also outscored SCSU 36-20 in the paint.
Alcantara led all scorers with 20 points, to go with seven rebounds, while Davis netted 19 points and passed out four assists.
The Mavericks wrap up their road trip on Sunday as they take on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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