BEMIDJI, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team led throughout Saturday evening as it bested the Bemidji State Beavers 77-66 on the road.

With the win, MSU improves to 16-8, including a 12-6 NSIC record. With the loss, BSU drops to 8-14, including a 5-13 conference record. Minnesota State now owns a 10-2 record in games played away from Taylor Center this season.

The first half saw the Mavericks hold the lead for more than 18 minutes as they led by as many as 16 points. MSU jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead to open the game, but BSU was able to close the gap to 11-9 with 14:45 to go in the half. With just under 11 minutes to play in the first half, junior Kevin Krieger connected on a pair of free throws to put the Mavericks up by 11 at 20-9.

Bemidji State managed to get back within three points of the Mavericks at 25-22 with 5:46 to go in the half, but the Mavericks would end the half on a 14-4 run to carry a 39-26 lead into the locker room. Senior Karson Arrenholz connected on a pair of three pointers in the final five minutes of the half.

Krieger led all scorers in the first half with 11 points, while junior Cameron Kirksey tallied nine points and three rebounds. As a team, MSU connected on 42.9% of its shots from the field in the opening stanza.

Ja Morgan paced the Beaver offense in the first half with seven points, while Logan Bader tallied six points and six rebounds. As a unit, BSU shot 29.0% from the field in the opening half.

The early part of the second half favored the Beavers as they were able to cut into MSU's 13-point halftime lead. With just over 11 minutes to play in the game BSU managed to pull back within four points of the Mavericks at 49-45. The Mavericks then responded with a 13-3 run, which included two three pointers from junior Carter Asche, to go back up by 14 at 64-50 with 5:24 left.

The Beavers managed to get back within nine points on the Mavericks in the final two minutes, but the would get no closer as MSU finished the game with a 77-66 win.

Kirksey finished with 15 points and six rebounds, while senior Carlos Anderson tallied 13 points and a team-best seven rebounds. Krieger posted 14 points as well, while Asche added nine points and five rebounds.

As a team, MSU shot 45.0% (27-of-60) from the field, including an 8-of-21 (.381) showing from long range.

Morgan tallied 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Beavers, while Bader finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Minnesota State returns home for its final home weekend of the regular season this Friday as it hosts Augustana. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., at Taylor Center.

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