MARSHALL, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team controlled the pace all night long Friday evening as is bested Southwest Minnesota State 75-67 on the road.

With the win, MSU improves to 5-2 on the season, including a 2-0 NSIC record. With the loss, SMSU drops to 5-3, including a 0-2 conference record. The Mavericks have now won three of their last four meetings with the Mustangs.

The opening stanza saw the Mavericks dictate the pace through most of the opening 20 minutes. MSU held the lead for nearly 17 minutes and managed to build a 10-point lead, but both teams eventually went into the locker room tied at 31-31 at halftime.

With just over 11 minutes to go in the half a three pointer from junior Carlos Anderson put the Mavericks up 17-10. Over the next three minutes, MSU would increase its lead to 10 at 22-12 after a three pointer from freshman Quincy Anderson.

SMSU would chip away at Minnesota State's lead through the final eight minutes, which included a 9-2 run in the final 3:13 of the half, to bring the first half score to 31-31.

Junior Kevin Krieger posted eight points and eight rebounds in the first half, while Carlos Anderson added six points and two rebounds. As a unit, the Mavericks shot 43.3% from the field in the first half, while passing out six assists. Both teams struggled from three point range in the first half however, as they went a combined 4-of-21 (.190)

Ryan Bruggeman led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, while Steven McNease tallied four points and five rebounds. As a team, SMSU shot 40% from the field in the first half. The Mustangs also held a 20-18 advantage in rebounds.

The Mavericks wasted no time early on in the second half as they connected on six of their first seven shots from the field to go up by 10 at 45-35 with 16:23 to go. Five different Mavericks recorded at least one basket during that stretch, including junior Juwan McCloud who posted five points and two assists during that stretch.

SMSU managed to get back within seven points of the Mavericks on two occasions, but MSU still held a double digit lead at 55-45 with 9:41 to go. The Mustangs managed to close within five points of the Mavericks with 1:04 to go but they would get no closer as Minnesota State came away with the 75-67 win.

Krieger and Carlos Anderson both led the team with 16 points, while junior Cameron Kirksey added 15 points. Krieger also hauled in 14 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. McCloud finished with nine points and four assists.

As a team, MSU shot 51.7% from the field, including an 18-of-30 (.600) showing in the second half. The Mavericks also passed out 18 assists and scored 34 points in the paint.

Bruggeman led all scorers with 36 points, while Kenny Byers added 12 points. As a team, SMSU shot 41.2% from the field, but only managed to connect on 2-of-19 (.105) attempts from three point range. 

Minnesota State wraps up its road trip on Saturday as it takes on the Sioux Falls Cougars. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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