KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- Minnesota State opened its season on a high note Saturday afternoon in Kansas City as the Mavericks defeated the Missouri Southern Lions 87-73.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 1-0 on the season, while the Lions falls to 0-1.

The first five minutes of the game saw the Lions build a 12-7 lead, but the Mavericks would tie the score less than three minutes last at 16-16 as sophomore Tyrell Stuttley and Brady Williams each notched a pair of baskets. The Lions held the lead through much of the first half down the stretch but a basket from junior Malik Willingham gave the Mavericks their first lead of the game at 26-25 with 5:41 to go in the half.

The Mavericks would lead by as many as six points at 35-29 in the closing minutes of the opening stanza, but the Lions were able to get back within a score as the Mavericks took a 38-36 lead into halftime.

Sophomore Harrison Braudis led the Maverick offense in the first half with 12 points, while Malik Willingham tallied 10. Braudis passed out three assists also, while senior Kelby Kramer notched five rebounds and three blocks. As a team, Minnesota State shot 43.3% from the field in the first half.

Avery Taggert paced Missouri Southern in the first half with 12 points, while Sam Thompson notched eight points and five rebounds.

It proved to be all Mavericks early on in the second half as they built an 18-point lead at 63-45 with 12:16 to go as seven different Mavericks recorded at least one basket. The Mavericks maintained their 18-point lead at 67-49 with 9:19 to go in the game.

The Mavericks would hold their double-digit lead down the stretch as they defeated Missouri Southern 87-73.

Braudis finished with a career-high 24 points, which included a 4-of-4 showing from downtown. Malik Willingham notched 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals also, while Williams tallied 14 points and six rebounds. Kyreese Willingham added 11 points of his own, while Kramer notched a game-high 10 rebounds and three blocks.

As a team, Minnesota State shot 50.9% (29-of-57) from the field, including a 9-of-21 (.429) showing from long range. The Mavericks also cashed in on 20-of-27 (.741) shots from the free throw line.

Taggart paced Missouri Southern with 18 points, while Winston Dessesow tallied 13 points. As a team, the Lions shot 37.1% from the field and 10-of-29 (.345) from long range.

Minnesota finishes competition in the Central Region Challenge on Saturday as it takes on the Henderson State Reddies. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., at Municipal Auditorium.