MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team (17-9, 13-7 NSIC) defeated the Wayne State Wildcats (18-8, 13-7 NSIC) 89-78 Saturday night in Mankato, Minn.
Both teams traded baskets running up and down the floor in the opening minutes, and the Mavericks held an early 12-11 lead with 13:49 to go in the half. Neither team could find any separation as Minnesota State continued to lead, 21-18, with 9:37 to go.
The pace of the game slowed dramatically, but the Mavericks took advantage of it as they extended their lead to 31-23 with 4:20 as
Juwan McCloud spun his way to the hoop for a layup.
Kevin Krieger drilled a three-pointer and on the next possession took an outlet pass from
Tre Baumgardner to the hoop for a lay-in to give Minnesota State a 42-27 lead with 1:39 to go. The Mavericks ended the half with a 42-29 lead after a last second shot from
Krieger was blocked.
Krieger led all scorers with 20-points and five rebounds in the half. As a team the Mavericks held the edge on the glass 22-15 and shot 50.0% from the field.
Coming out of the half, Minnesota State extended their lead going on a 12-8 run in the first five minutes. Despite getting the lead to twenty points, the Mavericks allowed the Wildcats to convert on a couple of back to back threes that saw them cut the lead to 72-60 with 6:11 to go.
The margin proved too much for Wayne State to overcome, and Minnesota State closed the game with an 89-78 win.
Krieger led the way for the Mavericks with 24-points and seven rebounds and
Carlos Anderson finished the game with 20-points.
Cameron Kirksey finished the game with 17-points, six rebounds, and three blocks as well.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 57.9% from the field compared to 43.3% and held the edge in rebounds 37-28. Minnesota State also held the advantage with 19 assists compared to nine, and recorded seven blocks in the game.
The Mavericks will take to the road for the final two games of the regular season, facing off with Upper Iowa Friday at 7:30 p.m., before taking on Winona State Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
