MANKATO, Minn. —— #9 Minnesota State bounced back Saturday evening in Taylor Center as the Mavericks defeated Wayne State 96-89.
With the win, MSU improves to 10-1, including a 4-1 NSIC record. With the loss, WSC drops to 8-3, including a 3-2 conference record.
The early part of the first half saw little scoring as the Mavericks and Wildcats were tied at 17-17 with 9:37 to go in the half. WSC would lead by seven at 15-8, but a 7-2 run, including four points from sophomore Harrison Braudis saw the score tied at 17-17.
The lead would change hands twice as neither team led by more than five points in the final nine minutes of the first half as the Wildcats took a 37-33 lead into halftime.
Braudis led the Mavericks in the first half with nine points, while senior Trevor Moore posted seven points. As a team, MSU shot 32.4% from the field in the first half.
Nick Ferrarini led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, while Nate Mohr tallied eight points. As a team, WSC shot 40.0% from the field in the opening stanza.
The second half saw the Mavericks reclaim the lead five minutes in as Moore connected on a three pointer to put MSU up 46-45. The Mavericks would hold the lead to the midpoint of the half as they led 59-56. Over the next three minutes MSU would put together an 11-7 run, with all 11 points courtesy of freshman Malcolm Jones, to go up 70-63.
The Mavericks would lead by as many as 14 points down the stretch as they went on to close out the game with a 96-89 win.
Jones and Moore both netted season-highs with 23 points. Jones also hauled in six rebounds, while Moore connected on 5-of-9 attempts from three point range. Sophomore Kyreese Willingham tallied 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, while sophomore Harrison Braudis notched 19 points.
As a team, MSU shot 48.5% from the field. The Mavericks also cashed in on 22-of-26 (.846) shots from the free throw line. MSU also hauled in 40 rebounds, including 16 off the offensive glass.
Jordan Janssen led the Wildcats with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Ferrari posted 18 points. As a team, WSC shot 50.0% from the field, including a 10-of-22 (.455) showing from downtown.
Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Friday as its takes on Sioux Falls. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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