MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State claimed its fourth consecutive win Saturday evening in Taylor Center as the Mavericks bested #19 Sioux Falls 90-59.

With the win, MSU improves to 7-2, including a 6-1 NSIC record. With the loss, USF drops to 4-1, including a 2-1 conference record.

The first half saw the Mavericks connect on their first four shots to take a 10-4 lead in the first three minutes. USF responded with a 7-0 run to take an 11-10 lead. The lead would exchange hands two more times in the opening part of the first half as the Cougars held a 17-15 lead with 10:04 to go in the half.

The Mavericks then responded with a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to go up 25-17. Junior Devonte Thedford notched five points in MSU's 10-0 run while sophomore Ryland Holt added a three pointer of his own. MSU held the lead through the rest of the half as it carried a 35-27 lead into the locker room.

Sophomore Quincy Anderson led all scorers in the first half with 11 points. As a unit, MSU shot 48.3% in the opening stanza.

Jack Thompson and Chase Grinde led the USF offense in the first half with six points each. As a team, The Cougars shot 31.0% from the field in the first half.

The Mavericks wasted little time in the second half to increase their lead as they outscored the Cougars 18-6 in the first four minutes to go up by 20 at 53-33 with 16:05 to go in the game. Minnesota State would lead by at least 17 points the rest of the way as it cruised to a 90-59 win.

Anderson led all scorers with 21 points, to go along with eight rebounds. Thedford finished his evening with 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists, while Holt added 17 points and six rebounds as well.

As a team, MSU shot 50.0% (32-of-64) from the field, including an 11-of-26 (.423) showing from three point range. The Mavericks also passed out 16 assists and hauled in 43 rebounds.

Wesley Oba led the USF offense with 11 points and eight rebounds. As a team, USF shot 28.8% from the field, including a 1-of-16 (.063) showing from three point range. The Cougars also hauled in 45 rebounds.

Minnesota State wraps up its weekend series with Sioux Falls on Sunday with a 2:00 p.m., tip-off at Taylor Center.



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