MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team came up short against the Wayne State Wildcats Friday evening in Taylor Center as the Wildcats bested the Mavericks 73-71.

With the win, MSU falls to 10-9 on the season, including an 8-5 NSIC record. With the win, WSC improves to 7-15, including a 4-9 conference record

The first half was full of runs by both teams. The Wildcats came out hot outscoring the Mavericks 9-2 in the opening three minutes. Freshman Ryland Holt scored six straight points for the Mavericks later on to cut the score to 12-8.  The Wildcats then went on a 10-2 run right after that to make the score 22-10 in the first 10 minutes of the game.  The Mavericks proceeded to score the next nine points with the help of a three pointer from freshman Landon Wolfe. 

Two three pointers in a row from senior Cameron Kirksey helped the Mavericks trim the lead of the Wildcats to 28-25. The three point shooting continued from the Mavericks as senior Kevin Krieger and Holt hit back-to-back shots to give the Mavericks a 34-30 lead.  The Wildcats responded with a 9-0 run to retake the lead and took a 39-38 lead into the half. The Mavericks were led by fourteen first half points by Holt

Jordan Janssen led the Wildcat offense in the first half with 12 points.

The beginning of the second half saw the two teams go back and forth. With 14:00 remaining in the second half, the Mavericks and the Wildcats were knotted up at 48. After a put back dunk by sophomore Kelby Kramer and a layup by Kirksey, the Mavericks took a 54-51 lead. The Wildcats tied the game back up at 56 with a three pointer from Nate Thayer with 9:30 remaining.

The teams continued to go back and forth as the second half wore on with multiple lead changes. With 1:40 remaining and the score knotted at 68, Nate Mohr hit a three pointer for Wayne State to give them a three point lead. With 54 seconds remaining, freshman Corvon Seales tied the game at 71 at the free throw line for the Mavericks. With five seconds remaining Nick Ferrarini got free on the fast break and gave the Wildcats a 73-71 lead. Krieger's last second three pointer missed the mark and the Wildcats held on to the 73-71 win.

Holt led the Mavericks with 17 points.  Kirksey added 15 points and 7 rebounds and Corvon Seales provided 14 points, 12 of which came in the second half.  As a team, MSU shot 44.1% from the field and 34.5% from the three point line.

Ferrarini led all scorers with 21 points and had the game winning basket while Janssen  notched 14 points. As a unit, WSU shot 54.5% from the field and 50% from the three point line.

Minnesota State wraps up its homestand Saturday as it takes on the Augustana Vikings. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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