KANSAS CITY, Mo. ---  Nine Mavericks reached the scoring column Friday evening as Minnesota State bested Missouri Western 77-64 in its season opener at Municipal Auditorium.

With the win, MSU improves to 1-0 on the season, while MWSU drops to 1-2 on the season.

The first half saw the Mavericks dominate the pace as they led by as many as 20 points through the opening stanza. Leading 9-7 early with just under 13 minutes left in the half, the Mavericks went on a 16-0 run over the next four minutes to go up 25-7. Four Mavericks tallied at least one basket during that stretch including sophomore Quincy Anderson who tallied six points and freshman Kyreese Willingham who notched five.

The Griffons managed to get back within 14 of the Mavericks at 32-18 with 4:45 to go in the half, but the Mavericks would finish the half on a 9-6 run to take a 41-24 lead into the locker room.

Anderson led all scorers in the first half with 15 points, while junior Kelby Kramer netted six points. Sophomore Shawn Hopkins hauled in a team-best five rebounds as well. As a unit, MSU shot 16-of-33 (.485) from the field in the first half. The Mavericks also boasted a 23-16 advantage in rebounds.

JaQuaylon Mays led the Griffon offense in the first half with 14 points. As a team, Missouri Western shot 8-of-28 (.286) from the field in the first half.

The second half saw Missouri Western cut the Maverick lead to eight at 48-40 as the Griffins outscored MSU 16-7 in the first 6:39 of the second half. The Mavericks then responded with a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to go back up by 18 at 58-40. The Griffons managed to get back within 11 points of the Mavericks twice but they would get no closer as the Mavericks finished their season opener with a 77-64 win. 

Anderson led the Maverick offense with 23 points, marking the eighth time in his career that he has netted 20 points or more in a game. Freshman Brady Williams matched his career-high with 17 points as he shot 7-of-8 from the field. Williams and Kyreese Willingham each hauled in a team-leading seven rebounds as well, while freshman Harrison Braudis tallied eight points and three assists.

As a team, MSU shot 28-of-53 (.528) from the field. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 39-33 advantage in rebounds.

Mays led all scorers with 27 points, while Will Eames notched 10 points. As a team, Missouri Western shot 19-of-57 (.333) from the field.

Minnesota State wraps up the Central Region Challenge in Kansas City this Sunday as it takes on Lincoln. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., at Municipal Auditorium.

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