MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team won its sixth straight game Tuesday afternoon at Taylor Center as it battled to a 69-59 win over the Waldorf Warriors.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 9-2 on the season. Waldorf's game against MSU will count as an exhibition on its schedule.

Minnesota State spread the scoring around throughout the first half as Waldorf carried a 33-31 lead into the locker room. Junior Cole Harper and sophomore Kevin Krieger led the Mavericks in the first half with eight points each, with Harper also hauling in six rebounds. Sophomore Cameron Kirksey added seven points in the first half as well. 

The Warriors scored the first points of the game off of the opening tip and would lead the home team until the 11:54 mark of the half. Krieger put Minnesota ahead by two, 13-11, with a layup soon after, but Waldorf soon eclipsed the Minnesota State lead, going up 31-22 with under five minutes to play. The Mavericks finished the first half on a 9-2 run to cut the Warrior lead to two. 

Waldorf and Minnesota State each pulled down 22 rebounds in the first  half. The Warrior bench outscored the Mavericks 18-4 and had the advantage in three-point field goals, 5-0. Leland March led all scorers in the first half with nine points as he shot 3-of-5 from behind the three point line. 

Minnesota State began the second half with an 11-4 run after to go up by five at 42-37. The MSU bench scored 18 points in the final 20 minutes of play, with junior Carlos Anderson scored his nine points exclusively in the second half. A breakaway dunk by Krieger then gave Minnesota State a 10-point lead, 60-50, with seven minutes left to play. 

With 5:47 on the clock, the Warriors began a 9-0 run, narrowing the Maverick lead to three at 62-59. The comeback was not to be as Minnesota State closed out the game scoring the last seven points in the final 1:31 to close out the 69-59 win. 

Krieger lead all scorers in the contest with 14 points and added three steals. Kirksey also reached double-figures with 13 points, with Harper following right behind with 10. The Mavericks shot 45.6% from the field and were 15-of-21 (.714) from the line. MSU also forced 10 turnovers and recorded eight steals.

March led the Waldorf offense with 13 points, while Brady Kuchinka added 11 points and four rebounds. As a team, the Warriors shot 37.3% from the field. WU also held a 41-39 advantage in rebounds.

Minnesota State returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 30, as it hosts MSU Moorhead at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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