Box Score BISMARCK, N.D. --- Neither Minnesota State or the University of Mary led by more than sevens points Friday evening in Bismarck, N.D., but it was the Mavericks who had the final say as they overtook the Marauders in the final minutes to lock down a 76-71 victory.

With the win, MSU improves to 16-7, including an 11-6 NSIC record. With the loss, U-Mary drops to 14-9, including a 9-8 league record. The Mavericks have now won three of their last four road games.

The first half saw the Marauders build a quick six-point lead at 8-2 with 17:29 to go in the half, only to see the Mavericks jump ahead 11-8 just three minutes later. Both teams found themselves knotted up at 22 all with 5:24 to go in the half, but the Marauders were able to take a two-point lead into the locker room at 31-29.

Senior Jalen Pendleton and junior Jon Fuqua paced the Maverick offense in the first half with nine points each, with Fuqua bringing down eight rebounds as well. As a unit, MSU hauled in 24 rebounds in the opening session, compared to 18 by U-Mary.

Bryan Jefferson led U-Mary in the first half with eight points and six rebounds, while Marquealis Edwards tallied five points and passed out five assists.

The second half saw U-Mary maintain the lead early on as it held a 44-43 lead with 14:31 left. MSU junior TJ Okafor gave the Mavericks their first lead of the second half at 45-44 after a layup, but both teams would get locked up in the scoring column at 57 with 9:21 to go.

MSU managed to build a four-point lead at 62-58 with 7:09 left in the game, but U-Mary managed to rally and build its own four-point lead at 67-63 with 3:50 remaining. The Mavericks would respond with a 7-0 run, behind three points from Fuqua and four from Pendleton, to take a 70-67 lead.

U-Mary was able to pull within one of the Mavericks twice, but baskets from freshman Joey Witthus and Pendleton ensured the Marauders would not regain the lead as the Mavericks finished with a 76-71 road victory.

Fuqua finished his night with 21 points and 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Fuqua finished his night shooting 7-of-12 from the field as well. Pendleton notched a game-high 28 points, to go with eight rebounds and five assists.

As a team, MSU shot 40.3% from the field, including a 53.3% performance in the second half. The Mavericks outrebounded the Marauders 44-34 and boasted a 13-of-16 showing from the line in the second half.

Jefferson led the Marauder offense with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Edwards added 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

MSU continues its road trip on Saturday as it takes on Minot State, at 6:00 p.m.

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