ABERDEEN, S.D. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team could not find its footing on the road Saturday evening in Aberdeen, S.D., as the Northern State Wolves defeated the Mavericks 96-62.

With the loss, MSU drops to 11-11 on the season including a 9-7 NSIC record. With the win, NSU improves to 17-5, including a 13-3 conference record.

Nine minutes into the first half the Mavericks and Wolves remained close, with NSU owning a slim 13-11 lead. Four different Mavericks reached the scoring column during that stretch including freshman Ryland Holt who hit a pair of baskets. The Wolves then went on a 10-2 run over the next five minutes to build its first double-digit lead of the game at 23-13 with 6:18 to go in the half.

NSU would maintain its double-digit lead through the remainder of the first half as it led 37-22 as both teams went into the locker room.

Holt led the Maverick offense in the first half with eight points and five rebounds, while senior Cameron Kirksey tallied four points and three rebounds. As a unit, MSU shot 34.6% from the field in the first half.

Cole Dahl led all scorers with 11 points in the first half, while Parker Fox and Mason Stark each tallied eight points. As a unit, NSU shot 48.5% from the field in the opening stanza.

Northern State continued to control the pace throughout the second half. With 11:11 to go in the game the Mavericks trailed by 17 at 51-34, but they would get no closer as NSU outscored MSU 45-28 in the final 11 minutes of the game to claim the 96-62 win. 

Holt finished with a team-leading 12 points, to go along with six rebounds, while senior Carter Asche added 11 points. Freshman Malik Willingham notched 10 points and a team-best five assists, while senior Kelby Kramer tallied eight points and a team-best nine rebounds.

As a team, MSU shot 38.2% from the field and hauled in 38 rebounds. 

Stark led all scorers with 37 points as he shot 13-of-15 from the field, including an 8-of-9 showing from three point range. Fox tallied 13 points and nine rebounds, while Andrew Kallman tallied nine points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

As a team, NSU shot 54.2% from the field, including a 14-of-29 (.483) showing from three point range.

Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center on Friday as it plays host to the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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