SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team nearly overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half Saturday evening, but it was Sioux Falls that was able to come away with the 88-81 win.
With the loss, the Mavericks fall to 20-8, including a 16-6 NSIC record. With the win, USF improves to 19-9, including a 14-8 conference record.
The first half saw a total of three lead changes as neither team led by more than eight points. The Mavericks built an early 12-7 lead with 15:27 to go but the Cougars were able to take a 17-16 lead with 9:55 remaining in the half.
USF would build an eight point lead at 28-20 with 6:17 left in the half, but MSU was able to close the gap as it outscored the Cougars 16-10 in the final six minutes to bring the first half score to 38-36 in favor of USF.
Senior
Chris Kendrix led the MSU offense in the first half with 11 points, which included a 3-of-3 showing from long range. Senior
Charlie Brown added seven points, three rebounds and three assists as well. As a team, MSU passed out nine assists in the first half and went 6-of-10 from downtown.
Trevon Evans led all scorers in the first half with 13 points, while Drew Guebert tallied nine points and four rebounds. As a team, USF shot 48.4% from the field. It also held a 23-19 advantage in rebounds.
Almost four minutes into the second half MSU trailed USF 46-45 after a layup from junior
Cole Harper. The Cougars then went on a 23-8 run over the next nine minutes to go up by 16 at 69-53 with 7:22 remaining in the game. Undaunted, the Mavericks responded with an 18-5 run to cut the USF lead to three at 74-71 with 2:17 to play. Brown recorded eight of MSU's during that stretch, while Kendrix went 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
The Cougars managed to go back up by eight points but with 25 seconds remaining, MSU once again got back within three of the Cougars after Kendrix connected on three straight free throws. The Mavericks were unable to get any closer however as Sioux Falls held on to claim the 88-81 win.
Brown led the MSU offense with 28 points, including an 11-of-12 performance from the line. Kendrix added 22 points and seven rebounds as well. Sophomore
Cameron Kirksey finished with seven points and 12 rebounds. As a team, Minnesota State shot 36.4% from the field and 27-of-36 (.750) from the free throw line.
Evans led all scorers with 33 points, while Guebert tallied 28 points and nine rebounds. As a team, USF shot 40.3% from the field and 31-of-40 (.775) from the line.
The Mavericks return to Taylor Center on Wednesday as they host MSU Moorhead in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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