BISMARCK, N.D. --- Minnesota State bounced back Saturday evening in Bismarck, N.D., as it bested the University of Mary 80-64.

With the win, MSU improves to 13-4, including a 9-2 NSIC record. With the loss, U-Mary drops to 3-13, including a 1-11 NSIC record.

The first half saw a total of seven lead changes. U-Mary built an early 18-13 lead with 14:43 remaining in the first, but MSU would not let the Marauders get out in front by too much as MSU knotted up the score at 27-27 with 6:47 left in the half.

MSU would go on to finish the first half outscoring the Marauders 16-3 to take a 43-30 lead into the locker room. Senior Chris Kendrix sank three baskets down the stretch including a pair of three pointers.

Sophomore Cameron Kirksey led all scorers in the first half with 15 points, while Kendrix added 14 points, including a 3-of-3 showing from behind the arc. As a team, MSU shot 16-of-21 (.762) from the field in the first half, including a 7-of-9 (.778) performance from downtown.

Keith Hunter and Wyatt Carr led the Marauders in the first half with eight points each. As a unit, U-Mary shot 36.1% from the field, including a 3-of-11 (.273) showing from long range.

The second half saw the Marauders get back within a couple baskets on two occasions in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but MSU still held a 10-point lead at 64-54 with 8:39 remaining in the game. The next two minutes saw the Marauders get back within four points at 66-62 with 6:20 left in the second half.

This was as close as the Marauders would get to the Mavericks as MSU outscored U-Mary 14-2 in the final, en route to claiming the 80-64.

Kirksey finished the game with a career-high 26 points, to go along with seven rebounds and three blocks. Kendrix added a season-high 21 points, which included a 5-of-5 performance from behind the arc, while sophomore Carter Asche tallied a career-high 12 points as he connected on 4-of-5 attempts from long range. Kendrix finsihed his night shooting 6-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line. Senior Charlie Brown added eight points and a game-high seven assists.

As a team, MSU shot 62.2% from the field, including a 12-of-17 (.706) showing from long range. MSU also held a 32-23 advantage in rebounds.

Keith led the Marauder offense with 17 points, while Connor Helleburst added 14 points off the bench. As a team, U-Mary shot 43.1% from the field.

Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center this Friday as it hosts the Sioux Falls Cougars. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
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