Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Neither team led by more than nine points Friday evening at Stewart Center, but it was Sioux Falls that was able to pull away late in the second half against Minnesota State to claim the 71-64 win.

With the loss, MSU drops to 7-8, including a 5-4 NSIC record. With the win, USF improves to 12-3, including an 8-1 conference record. The Cougars have now won their last five games, snapping MSU's four-game winning streak in the process.

The scoring came at a premium early on in the opening stanza as both teams were tied 4-4 just four minutes into the game. USF was then able to go on a 10-1 to go up 14-5 with just over 13 minutes left in the half. 

Minnesota State would slowly chip away as the USF lead as a layup from senior Cameron Kirksey with 6:37 to go knotted up the score at 22-22. The Mavericks would then finish the half on a 14-10 run, which included three points from senior Carter Asche, sophomore Kelby Kramer and freshman Malik Willingham, to take a 36-32 lead into the locker room.

Kramer led all scorers in the first half with 11 points and six rebounds. Kirksey added nine points also. As a unit, MSU shot 13-of-26 (.500) from the field in the first half and blocked four shots.

Devin Green led the USF offense in the first half with eight points, while Jack Thompson  tallied seven points.

The second half saw Minnesota State hold the lead most of the way. The Mavericks eventually built their largest lead of the game at 46-38 after a pair of free throws from freshman Ryland Holt with just under 16 minutes to go. USF was able to work its way back into the game and knotted up the score at 59-59 with 5:45 remaining.

Kirksey put the Mavericks back up by two at 61-59 with 5:21 to go, but USF then began an 8-0 run over then next three minutes to go up 67-61 with 2:36 to go. MSU managed just three free throws in the final minutes of the game as USF locked down the 71-64 win.

Kirksey led the Mavericks with 16 points and four rebounds, while Kramer added 11 points and eight rebounds. Senior Kevin Krieger added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists also.

As a team, MSU shot 23-of-49 (.469) from the field. MSU also passed out 11 assists and hauled in 26 rebounds.

Thompson led all scorers with 21 points, while notched 10 points and eight rebounds.

Minnesota State continues its road trip on Saturday as it squares off with the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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