Box Score Photo courtesy of Kylie Macziewski

ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team finished its road weekend in fine form Saturday evening as it bested St. Cloud State 95-83 in Halenbeck Hall.

With the win, MSU improves to 10-8 on the season, including an 8-4 NSIC record. With the loss, SCSU drops to 10-8, including a 7-5 conference record.

The first half proved to be and back and forth affair as each team held the lead six times in the opening stanza. The Maverick offense was paced early on by sophomore Kelby Kramer who notched his 12th point of the game to put MSU up 21-14 with 12:22 to go in the half. A three pointer from senior Cameron Kirksey then put the Mavericks up by 10 at 24-14.

St. Cloud State then began a 15-0 run to take a 29-24 lead with 8:12 to go in the half. Three different Mavericks would record a basket to put the Mavericks back up by one at 30-29. The Huskies managed to build a six point lead at 42-36 with 2:19 to go, but a 7-0 Maverick run would end the half with MSU leading 43-42.

Kramer led all scorers in the first half with 18 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Ryland Holt added 12 points and three assists. As a team, MSU shot 19-of-34 (.559) form the field in the first half.

Anthony Roberts led the Huskies in the first half with 13 points and four rebounds.  

The Mavericks controlled the pace early on in the second half as they rebuilt their 10-point lead at 65-55 with 12:57 to go. SCSU was able to chip away at the MSU lead through the next seven minutes as it pulled to within one of the Mavericks at 74-73 with 5:42 to go.

Leading by one, Minnesota State responded with a pair of three pointers from Holt and  Kirksey to go back up 80-73. The Mavericks were able to preserve their lead through the final five minutes to secure their 95-83 win.  

Kramer finished with his second double-double in as many games as he notched 23 points and 15 rebounds. Holt tallied 24 points and seven rebounds also, while Krieger netted 15 points. Kirksey posted 13 points as well, while freshmen Corvon Seales and Malik Willingham each passed out seven assists.

As a team, MSU shot 36-of-64 (.563) from the field including a 10-of-25 (.400) performance from downtown. The Mavericks also hauled in 40 rebounds and passed out 26 assists.

Roberts led the SCSU offense with 29 points and nine rebounds, while Trevon Marshall tallied 24 points and six assists.

Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center on Friday as it hosts the Wayne State Wildcats. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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