MANKATO, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State men's basketball team defeated the Minot State Beavers 81-66, Friday night at Taylor Center.  

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 12-5, including a 7-4 NSIC record. With the loss, the Beavers fall to 7-10, including a 3-8 league record. MSU has now won eight of its last nine games.

In the opening minutes of the game both teams struggled to score with the Beavers finding the early edge and a 10-5 lead over the Mavericks at the 14:27 mark in the first half.  Minnesota State then fought back with a quick 5-0 run to tie the game with 11:49 remaining in the first half. The Beavers responded to the Mavericks run by knocking down back-to-back three point shots compared to a pair of layups from Minnesota State, leading them to a 22-16 lead with 9:01 remaining in the first half.

Out of the media timeout the Mavericks attacked the basket leading to three consecutive fouls and cut the Beavers lead to 22-20. With 5:28 remaining in the first half senior Jon Fuqua scored while being fouled giving Minnesota State its first lead of the game, and after hitting the free throw, pushed the lead to 25-23. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, and as the buzzer was sounded, Nathaniel Moore of the Beavers hit a 35-foot three point shot to give Minot State a 34-33 lead going into halftime.  
 
Minnesota State shot 53.8% from the field compared to only 46.9% shooting from Minot State in the first half, but the Mavericks were only 1-9 from three-point range compared to 3-8 for the Beavers. Fuqua led Minnesota State with 11 points in the first half and sophomore Joey Witthus added nine points as well.  

Fuqua opened up the second half with a turnaround layup to give the Mavericks the 35-34 lead before getting a defensive stop that led to a Witthus 3-point shot. The offense started to flow for Minnesota State as good passing opened up the lane for a pair of easy layups from sophomore Cole Harper, giving them a 46-41 lead with 15:06 remaining in the game. Out of the media timeout the Mavericks proceeded to go on a 12-2 run thanks to the ability to find open shooters off of screens and drive deep into the lane.  

With just under 10 minutes remaining a defensive rebound from senior Trey Sampson got kicked up the court to Witthus who then found a wide-open Fuqua for a powerful alley-oop slam that brought the Taylor Center crowd to a frenzy as the Mavericks pushed their lead to 66-45.

With the defense and offense of Minnesota State clicking down the stretch freshman Cameron Kirksey took a screen at the top of the key, maneuvered around his defender, and split the lane for a monstrous dunk. The Mavericks controlled the tempo for the remainder of the game ultimately bringing the final score to 81-66.

Minnesota State held the final edge in field goal percentage shooting 55.4% to 41.3% from the field and outrebounded Minot State 40-29. Fuqua and Witthus each scored 21-points to lead all scorers and Fuqua added five rebounds and assists. Kirksey ended the game with 11 points and led the Mavericks with eight rebounds, giving them some punch off the bench.

The Mavericks wrap up their five-game homestand on Saturday as they take on the University of Mary Marauders. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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