MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team lost a tough game 79-72 against the Winona State Warriors Saturday night at Taylor Center.  
 
With the loss, the Mavericks fall to 14-14 (12-10 NSIC), while the Warriors improve to 17-1 (14-8 NSIC).  
 
The Mavericks opened the game with a 10-0 run in the opening minutes, forcing an early timeout from the Warriors.  Winona State made several attempts to cut into the Minnesota State lead, but the Mavericks responded and were able to take a 34-26 lead into the halftime locker room.

Senior Cameron Kirksey led all players with 16 points in the half while freshman Ryland Holt recorded eight points and seven rebounds. As a team, Minnesota State shot 48.4% from the field compared to 28.6% from Winona State while winning the rebound battle 27-14.  

Senior Kevin Krieger came out of the second half locker room firing from everywhere on the floor, scoring 12 points in the first five minutes, but the Warriors responded with a barrage of threes, cutting the Maverick lead to 50-48.  

Winona State proceeded to go on a 7-2 run over the next five minutes, taking a 55-52 lead, as the Mavericks struggled to get good looks on offense. Despite the stream of threes from the Warriors, the Mavericks kept things close and after Kirksey converted an and-one, the Winona State lead was 70-66 with 4:31 to go in the half.

With just over two minutes to go, Kirksey laid in a finger roll to tie the game at 72-72.  The Warriors took a 73-72 lead after splitting a pair of free throws, and Minnesota State struggled to get a bucket to go with the time running out. Winona State converted on their free throw opportunities and held off the Mavericks to earn the 79-72 win.

Kirksey finished the game with 30 points for the Mavericks while Krieger finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. Holt notched a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, Minnesota State shot 47.4% from the field compared to 43.1% for Winona State but the Warriors made 12 three-pointers compared to five for the Mavericks. 

Andrea Lo Biondo and Caleb Wagner each posted 22 points for the Warriors, while Devin Whitelow hauled in a team-best 11 rebounds. Wagner also passed out a game-high nine assists.
 
The Mavericks will host a first round NSIC Tournament game next Wednesday against Bemidji State with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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