MARSHALL, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team picked up its second straight road win Saturday afternoon as it upended the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 60-40.

With the win, MSU improves to 5-2, including a 4-1 NSIC record. With the loss, SMSU drops to 2-3, including a 0-1 conference record.

The Mavericks began the game firing on all cylinders as they jumped out to a 14-4 lead with 16:20 to go in the opening stanza, as MSU connected on all five of its field goal attempts. Senior Kelby Kramer and sophomore Quincy Anderson each tallied five points in the opening stretch. SMSU managed to get within five points of the Mavericks at 16-11 with just over 10 minutes to go in the half.

The Mustangs got within two points of the Mavericks at 16-14 with 9:35 to go in the half, but the Mavericks would respond with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes, with sophomore Malik Willingham notching five of MSU's eight points, to go back up by 10 at 24-14. SMSU managed to get back within six of the Mavericks at 26-20 as the game went into halftime.

Anderson and Willingham led the Maverick offense in the first half with seven points each, while Kramer added five points. As a team, MSU shot 34.6% from the field in the first half. The Mavericks also held a 19-16 advantage in rebounds.

Nick Dufault led the Mustangs in the first half with eight points. As a unit, SMSU shot 34.6% from the field in the opening stanza.

The second half saw the Mavericks go on a 15-5 run over the first 10 minutes to go up 41-25, with Willingham account for six of MSU's 15 points. The Mavericks held a double-digit lead the rest of the way as they went on to defeat the Mustangs 60-40.

Willingham matched his career-high with 20 points as he finished his day shooting 7-of-9 from the field. Anderson added nine points while sophomore Ryland Holt and freshman Brady Williams each hauled in eight rebounds.

As a team, MSU shot 40.0% from the field. The Mavericks also tallied nine steals and forced 16 SMSU turnovers.

Dufault led the Mustang offense with 12 points, while Weston Baker Magrath tallied 10 points. As a team, SMSU shot 31.1% from the field, including a 1-of-15 (.067) showing from three point range.

Minnesota State wraps up its series with Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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