MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team turned in a dominant performance in its return to Taylor Center Friday evening as it upended the Sioux Falls Cougars by the score of 99-82.
With the win, MSU improves to 14-4, including a 10-2 NSIC record. With the loss, USF drops to 12-7, including a 7-6 league record.
The pace of the first half was dominated by the Mavericks as they led for nearly 18 minutes in the opening stanza. A jumper from junior
Cole Harper put the Mavericks up for good at 11-10 with 16:30 to go in the half. The Cougars managed to keep the Mavericks within a few baskets foa while but MSU built its first double-digit lead of the game at 24-14 with 11:11 left in the half.
The Mavericks built a 16-point lead at 46-30 after sophomore
Kevin Krieger connected from long range, but a pair of baskets from the Cougars brought USF back to within 11 of the Mavericks at 46-35 as both teams went into the locker room.
Krieger led all scorers in the first half with 20 points as he connected on 7-of-10 shots from the field, including a 3-of-3 showing from long range. Senior
Chris Kendrix added eight points as well. As a unit, MSU connected on 17-of-34 shots from the field in the first half.
Trevon Evans led the USF offense in the first half with 11 points, while Drew Guebert added 10 points and three rebounds.
The second half saw the Mavericks maintain their double-digit lead throughout as USF could get no closer than 12 points. Senior
Charlie Brown, who had to sit the majority of the first half after getting into foul trouble, provided an offensive spark in the second half as he netted 17 points and passed out seven helpers. Kendrix added 11 points in the second half as well, which included a 3-of-4 showing from downtown.
Krieger finished the game with a team-leading 24 points, while Brown tallied 17 points and a career-high nine assists. Kendrix finished his night with 19 points, while Harper tallied 10 points and five rebounds. Sophomore
Carter Asche added eight points off the bench.
As a team, MSU shot 56.1% from the field, including a 13-of-20 (.650) showing from long range. MSU also forced 15 turnovers and passed out 17 assists. This is the sixth time this season MSU has scored 90 points or more.
Guebert led the USF offense with 28 points and six rebounds, while Evans added 24 points and six assists. As a team, the Cougars shot 54.2% from the field.
Minnesota State continues its season on Saturday as it hosts Southwest Minnesota State at Taylor Center. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.
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