MANKATO, Minn. --- A 51-point performance in the second half proved to be the difference Saturday evening in Taylor Center as Minnesota State defeated the Wayne State Wildcats 87-78.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 10-5 on the season, including a 5-4 NSIC record. With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 5-11, including a 3-7 conference record.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 53.7% from the field against WSC, to go along with a 10-of-19 (.526) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also passed out 18 assists and blocked seven shots, while committing just four turnovers.
It was in the second half that the Maverick offense kicked into high gear as it netted 51 points, on a 16-of-27 (.593) showing from the field. MSU also passed out 10 assists in the second half and connected on 5-of-8 (.625) attempts from behind the three point line.
The Mavericks saw four players reach double-figures in the scoring column in their win against the Wildcats. Senior
Jon Fuqua notched a team-high 21 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the win, marking the fourth time this season he has passed the 20-point plateau. Senior
Aarias Austin added 16 points and five assists as well, with 14 of his 16 points coming in the second session.
Sophomore
Joey Witthus posted 12 points and six assists against the Wildcats, while freshman
Cameron Kirksey notched 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 20 minutes.
The Wildcats were led by Kendall Jacks who tallied 19 points and nine rebounds. Austin Esters added 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench as well. As a team, WSC shot 46.9% from the field. It also held a 37-28 advantage in rebounds.
The first half of the game saw a total of seven lead changes as the Wildcats carried a 41-36 lead into halftime. The Mavericks led by as many as four, but it was WSC that held the largest lead of the half at 39-31 with 42 seconds to go. A three pointer from Witthus managed to bring MSU back within five as the teams headed to the locker room.
Minnesota State wasted no time asserting control in the second half as it scored eight straight points in the first two minutes to go up 44-41. Freshman
Kevin Krieger netted four of MSU's eight points during the opening minutes, while Austin and Witthus added one basket each.
The Wildcats managed to knot up the score at 46-46 two minutes later but it would be all Mavericks after that as they led by as many as 15 points, en route to locking down the 87-78 win.
Minnesota State continues its homestand on Tuesday as it host Concordia-St. Paul at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
-30-
