MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team never held the lead Friday evening at Taylor Center as the Augustana Vikings bested the Mavericks 85-70.
With the loss, the Mavericks fall to 9-5, including a 4-4 NSIC record. With the win, the Vikings improve to 11-4, including a 6-3 conference record. AU has now won five straight games against MSU.
The first half saw the Vikings carry a 39-28 lead into the locker room. AU managed to build a 13-point lead at 28-15 with 7:33 to go, but the Mavericks climbed back within four of the Vikings at 32-28 as they outscored Augie 13-4 during the next six minutes. The Vikings recovered quickly and scored the last seven points of the half to take an 11-point lead into halftime.
Sophomore
Jay Knuth notched a team-leading nine points for the Mavericks, while senior
Jon Fuqua added eight points and four rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 35.7% from the field in the first half, to go along with a 5-of-6 performance from the line.
Jordan Spencer led all scorers in the first half with 11 points. John Warren tallied nine points for the Vikings in the first half as well. As a unit, the Vikings shot 41% from the field in the opening session. Augie also outrebounded the Mavericks 26-17 in the first half.
Augustana maintained its double-digit lead throughout most of the second stanza. The Mavericks managed to get back within eight of the Vikings at 54-46 with 10:33 to play but they would get now closer as AU went on to outscore the Mavericks 31-24 to claim the 85-70 win.
Fuqua led the Mavericks with 14 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore
Joey Witthus added 10 points and five rebounds, while both Knuth and senior
Trey Sampson added nine points.
As a team, Minnesota State shot 44.4% from the field. The Mavericks also connected on 13-of-16 (.813) shots from the free throw line.
Spencer led all scorers with 17 points and seven assists. Mike Busack added 16 points and nine rebounds as well.
As a team, Augustana shot 48.5% from the field and finished with a 39-32 advantage in rebounds.
The Mavericks continue their homestand on Saturday as they host the Wayne State Wildcats. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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