MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team started off the new year on a high note Sunday afternoon as it topped Concordia-St. Paul 92-82.

With the win, MSU improves to 10-4 on the season, including a 4-4 NSIC record. With the loss, CSP drops to 1-13, including a 0-8 conference record.

The first five minutes of the first half saw a close contest as CSP led the Mavericks 13-10 after sophomore Quincy Anderson connected on a pair of free throws. The Golden Bears would then go on a 15-9 run over the next five minutes to go up by nine at 28-19.

Minnesota State would chip away at the Golden Bears lead through the rest of the half and eventually took the lead a 41-39 after a layup from junior Devonte Thedford. The Mavericks would hold a 43-42 lead before both teams went into the locker room.

Anderson led all scorers in the first half with 19 points, while junior Kelby Kramer and freshman Harrison Braudis each tallied six points. As a team, MSU shot 53.1% from the field in the first half.

Elijah Ormiston led the Golden Bears in the first half with 11 points, while George Scharlau added nine points. As a team, CSP shot 50.0% from the field, including a 7-of-15 (.467) showing from three point land.

The score remained close through the opening 10 minutes of the second half as Minnesota State held a 62-61 lead with 9:17 to go. The Mavericks would then go on an 11-3 run over the next two minutes which including four points from freshman Kyreese Willingham to put MSU up 73-64 with 7:02 left.

The Golden Bears managed to get back within seven points of the Mavericks down the stretch but they would get no closer as MSU went on to claim the 92-82 win.

Anderson led all scorers with 30 points, which marks the second time this season he has reached the 30-point plateau. Williams added 16 points also, while Kramer notched 14 points and nine rebounds. Willingham posted 13 points as well.

As a team, MSU shot 53.2% from the field, including a 12-of-20 (.600) showing from downtown.

Ormiston led the Golden Bears with 27 points, and nine rebounds while Jack Stensgard notched 16 points.

As a team, CSP shot 49.2% from the field, including a 12-of-28 (.429) performance from three.

Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Friday as it takes on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

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