WAYNE, Neb. --- It came down to the final seconds Saturday evening at Wayne State, but it was Minnesota State that was able to come away with the 75-74 win against the Wildcats.

With the win, MSU improves to 12-3 on the season, including an 8-1 NSIC record. With the loss, WSC drops to 10-8, including a 5-5 conference record.

Wayne State led through the majority of the first half as it carried a 33-30 lead into the locker room. WSC led by as many as nine points as the lead changed hands a total of eight times. A three pointer from sophomore Kevin Krieger gave the Mavericks a four-point lead at 30-26 with 3:09 to go in the half, but the Wildcats would close out the half on a 7-0 run.

Krieger and junior Carlos Anderson led the Maverick offense in the first half with six points each, while junior Cole Harper and senior Chris Kendrix each added five points.

As a team, MSU shot 40% from the field in the first half. The Mavericks also hauled in 20 rebounds and recorded two blocks.

Brian Goodwin led the WSC offense in the first half with eight points, while Kendall Jacks added seven points and four rebounds. As a team, WSC shot 38.2% from the field, but it did connect on 5-of-10 attempts from downtown.

A little more than eight minutes into the second half, Wayne State rebuilt its nine-point at 55-46. MSU managed to get back within two points of the Wildcats three minutes later at 57-55. Krieger recorded a pair of baskets, while Kendrix and Anderson each tallied one.

With 3:13 to go, the Mavericks built their largest lead of the game at 72-65 after Krieger and Anderson each drained a pair of free throws. The Wildcats answered right back with their own 9-0 run to go up 74-72 with 41 seconds left. 

Ten seconds later, senior Charlie Brown sank a pair of free throws to knot the score up at 74. WSC failed to convert on its next possession and freshman Jamal Nixon was fouled on the rebound with three seconds left. Nixon made 1-of-2 of his attempts to put MSU up 75-74 and the lead would hold after Jacks' three pointer missed as time expired.

Krieger finished with a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. Kendrix added 18 points and nine rebounds as well, while Anderson tallied 13 points off the bench. As a team, MSU shot 46.7% from the field. The Mavericks also held a 41-30 advantage in rebounds.

Vance Janssen led the WSC offense with 13 points, while Jacks tallied 11 points and seven rebounds. As a team, WSC shot 45.9% from the field 

Minnesota State returns to action on the road this Friday as it takes on the Minot State Beavers. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

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