ROHNERT PARK, Calif. ——- The Minnesota State men's basketball team kept things rolling Friday evening on the road as it bested Sonoma State 88-63.
With the win, MSU improves to 4-0 on the season. With the loss, SSU drops to 0-3.
By the midpoint of the first half the Mavericks led by three at 19-16. Junior Malik Willingham led the Mavericks with eight points, while seniors Trevor Moore and Kelby Kramer each tallied four points.
MSU would add to its lead as it finished the final 10 minutes of the half outscoring the Seawolves 28-6 to take a 47-22 lead into halftime. The Mavericks at one point put together a 23-2 run, which included 12 points from Malik Willingham who tallied three baskets from downtown during that stretch.
Malik Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 20 points as he connected on 5-of-7 shots from behind the three point line. Moore and Kramer each notched six points as well. As a team, MSU shot 51.6% from the field in the opening stanza, including a 9-of-20 showing from long range.
Jaylen Wells led the Seawolves in the first half with 10 points and six rebounds. As a team SSU shot 35.7% from the field in the first half.
The Mavericks maintained their double-digit lead throughout the second half. The Seawolves managed to get within 16 of MSU at 71-55 with 6:15 to go but they would get no closer as the Mavericks finished the game with an 88-63 win.
Malik Willingham finished with a game-high 22 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Kyreese Willingham tallied 14 points and five assists, while sophomore Harrison Braudis posted 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Mason Muller hauled in a team-high seven rebounds also.
As a team, MSU shot 54.5% from the field, including a 12-of-29 (.414) performance from three point land. The Mavericks also passed out 19 assists and hauled in 36 rebounds.
Wells led the Seawolves with 18 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, SSU shot 44.1% from the field.
Minnesota State finishes its road trip on Saturday as it takes on Stanlislaus State in Rohnert Park, Calif. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (CST).
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