MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team's second half rally  fell short Saturday evening as Sioux Falls claimed the 85-79 win at Taylor Center.

The Mavericks drop to 3-5 (1-1 NSIC), while the Cougars improve to 7-2 (3-0 NSIC). 

Minnesota State trailed 8-4 at the first media time out. Sioux Falls then used a 10-0 run to go up 23-9 with 8:58 left in the first half. 

A pair of Maverick free throws trimmed the deficit down to eight points at 30-22 with 3:59 to play in the half, but the Cougars scored eight unanswered points to go back up 16 points at 38-22 with 1:32 to go. 

Freshman Corvon Seales knocked down a three-pointer to end the half as the Mavericks trailed 42-28 heading to the locker rooms. 

Down by as many as 16 points in the second half, the Mavericks used an 8-0 run to cut into the deficit at 53-46 with 13:23 to play. The Cougars responded with a 9-0 run of their own to push the lead back to 16 points at 62-46 with 10:42 to go. 

The Mavericks finally came within single digits at 80-71 with 1:38 to play, but they ultimately dropped the contest 85-79. 

Senior Cameron Kirksey led the Mavericks with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Senior Kevin Krieger added 13, freshman Ryland Holt added and Seales added 12. Sophomore Kelby Kramer added 11 to go with a team-high six rebounds.

As a unit, the Mavericks shot 29-of-56 (51.8%), while Sioux Falls shot 29-of-55 (52.7%) The Cougars held a 36-28 rebounding advantage over the Mavericks. 

Chase Grinde netted a game-high 21 points for the Cougars, while Devin Green tallied 15 points off the bench.

As a team, USF shot 52.7% from the field, including a 12-of-26 (.462) showing from three point range.

Minnesota State now travels to Winona, Minn., to take on the Winona State Warriors on Friday. Tip time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.  


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