BISMARCK, N.D. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team finished its road trip on a high note Saturday evening as it bested the University of Mary 90-83.

With the win, MSU improves to 11-3, including an 7-1 NSIC record. With the loss, U-Mary drops to 6-8 on the season, including a 3-5 conference record. The Mavericks have now won their last four games, including its last three on the road.

The first half remained close early on as neither team led by more than four points in the first 10 minutes. MSU held a 16-12 lead with 12:05 to go in the half after a layup from junior Cameron Kirksey, but U-Mary was able to put together a 9-4 run to go up 21-20 with 10:15 to go in the half.

The lead would switch hands a few more times in the first half but the University of Mary was able to take a 42-40 lead into the locker room.

Kirksey led the Maverick offense in the first half with 12 points and three rebounds, while senior Carlos Anderson tallied 11 points and three assists. As a team, MSU shot 14-of-28 (.500) from the field in the opening stanza, including a 5-of-11 (.455) showing from three point range.

Connor Hellebust led the Marauders with 12 points in the first half, while Tom Kubank added 11 points. As a team, U-Mary shot 14-of-24 (.583) from the field in the first half.

The second half saw the Marauders lead most of the way as they led by as many as 10 points. After a jump shot from Jaylan White, U-Mary held a 10-point lead at 76-66 with 6:45 to go in the game. MSU then responded with an 11-2 run over the next 2:33 to knot up the score at 77-77 with 4:12 remaining. Carlos Anderson went 4-of-4 from the free throw line during that stretch, while junior Juwan McCloud added a pair of baskets.

With 2:29 remaining in the game, McCloud put the Mavericks up by three at 80-77 and they would hold the lead the rest of the way. U-Mary only trailed 83-81 with just over a minute to play but a three pointer from senior Karson Arrenholz with less than a minute left put the game out of reach as MSU went on to win by the score of 90-83.

Carlos Anderson finished with a game-high 20 points, which included a 10-of-13 showing from the charity stripe. Kirksey added 19 points and a team-best eight rebounds, while both McCloud and sophomore Jamal Nixon each tallied 15 points. Nixon's 15 points are a new career-high.

As a team, MSU shot 27-of-54 (.500) from the field, including an 11-of-23 (.478) performance from long range. The Mavericks also cashed in on their trips to the line as they connected on 25-of-33 (.758) attempts.

Hellebust led the Marauders with 19 points, while White and Kubank each netted 17 points. As a team, U-Mary shot 28-of-51 (.549) from the field and 18-of-22 (.818) from the free throw line.

Minnesota State will begin a four-game homestand on Friday as it hosts Sioux Falls. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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