MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State's return to Taylor Center started off on the right foot Friday evening as the Mavericks bested the MSU Moorhead Dragons 74-68.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 11-6, including a 5-6 NSIC record. With the loss, the Dragons drop to 10-10, including a 5-6 conference record.

The first half remained close throughout as neither team led by more than five points during the opening stanza. The first half also featured five lead changes. By the midpoint of the first half, the Mavericks held a 14-11 lead after a pair of free throws from MSU Moorhead.

The Dragons would regain the lead at 24-22 with 4:22 to go. The lead would change hands three more times in the final minutes of the half as a layup from junior Kelby Kramer with 10 seconds left in the half gave the Mavericks a 34-32 lead as both teams went into the locker room.

Freshman Tyrell Stuttley led the Maverick offense in the first half with nine points, while Kramer tallied six points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Malik Willingham notched eight points also. As a team, the Mavericks shot 46.9% from the field in the first half.

Gavin Baumgartner led all scorers in the first half with 10 points. Jaden Stanley-Williams record eight points for the Dragons in the first half also. As a team, the Dragons shot 34.4% from the field.

In just under eight minutes into the second half the Mavericks built their largest lead of the game as a layup from Malik Willingham with 12:37 to go put MSU up 48-40. The Dragons would cut into the Mavericks' lead down the stretch as they pulled within two at 58-56 with 5:52 to go.

The Mavericks would then go on an 8-2 run over the next three minutes, which included baskets from four different Mavericks to put MSU up 66-58 with 2:11 remaining. The Dragons would get back within two points of the Mavericks in the closing seconds but two free throws from both Malik Willingham and sophomore Quincy Anderson locked down the Mavericks 74-68 win. 

Malik Willingham led all scorers with a career-high 23, which include a 5-of-7 performance from downtown. Stuttley finished his night with 15 points, behind a 7-of-11 showing from the field, while Kramer notched seven points and 11 rebounds. As a unit, the Mavericks shot 50.0% from the field.

Baumgartner led the Dragons with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Stanley Williams netted 13 points. As a team, the Dragons shot 34.9% from the field.

Minnesota State wraps up its homestand on Saturday as it takes on the Northern State Wolves. 

                                                                    -30-