Box Score WAYNE, Neb. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opened its road trip on a high note Saturday evening as it defeated Wayne State 90-79.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 13-6, including a 9-4 NSIC record. With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 14-5, including a 9-4 conference record. 

The first half saw the Mavericks lead most of the way as they led by as many as 21 points in the opening stanza. As a unit, Minnesota State connected on 17-of-30 (.567) shots form the field, including a 5-of-10 (.500) showing from the field.

With 6:23 left in the half, a three pointer from junior Juwan McCloud put the Mavericks up by 21 at 36-15. Wayne State was able to chip away at the MSU lead and eventually pulled back within 10 points of the Mavericks at 40-30 with 1:19 to go. Minnesota State would eventually take a 44-30 lead into the locker room as freshman Tre Baumgardner completed a four-point play with just five seconds left in the half.

All nine Mavericks who saw the court in the first half reached the scoring column, including junior Cameron Kirksey who paced the MSU offense with 10 points. McCloud added nine points and two helpers, while sophomore Jamal Nixon tallied two points a team-leading eight rebounds. The MSU bench accounted for 17 of MSU's 44 first half points as well.

The Mavericks maintained their double-digit lead throughout the majority of the second half as they led by as many as 21 points once again. With just over seven minutes to play a jumper from freshman Quincy Anderson put MSU up 73-52.

The Wildcats managed to get back within eight points of the Mavericks in the final minute of the game but they would get no closer as MSU would go on to lock down the 90-79 win.

Five Mavericks reached double-digits in scoring including senior Carlos Anderson who notched a team-high 16 points. Both McCloud and junior Kevin Krieger notched 15 points, while Baumgardner added 11 off the bench. Kirksey finished his night with 10 points. Both Nixon and Krieger hauled in 10 rebounds, which marked the fourth time this season that Krieger has tallied a double-double.

As a unit, MSU shot 54.4% from the field, including a 9-of-18 (.500) performance from long range. The Mavericks also held a 41-37 advantage in rebounds. The MSU bench also netted 32 points.

Kendall Jacks and Trevin Joseph led the Wildcats with 17 points each, while Jordan Janssen notched a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. As a unit, WSU shot 41.4% from the field. The Wildcats also tallied seven steals.

Minnesota State wraps up its road trip on Sunday as it takes on the Augustana Vikings. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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