MARSHALL, Minn. —- #14 Minnesota State battled Southwest Minnesota State on the road Saturday evening, but it was the Mustangs who were able to top the Mavericks 62-58.

With the loss, MSU drops to 10-3 on the season, including a 4-3 NSIC record. With the win, SMSU improves to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in conference action.

The first 10 minutes of the first half saw three lead changes as neither team led by more than six points. A layup from sophomore Tyrell Stuttley brought the Mavericks back within four of the Mustangs at 16-12 with 10:25 to go in the half.

SMSU managed to build a 10-point lead at 26-16 with 3:57 to go in the half, but the Mavericks would answer with an 8-0 run to close the gap to 26-24 with 1:57 left in the half. The Mustangs would get the final seven points of the half however as they carried a 33-24 lead into halftime.

Junior Malik Willingham led the Mavericks in the first half with eight points, while senior Trevor Moore tallied five points. As a team, MSU shot 31.0% from the field.

Dunwa Omot led the Mustangs in the first half with nine points. As a unit, SMSU shot 36.4% from the field in the first half.

SMSU maintained its lead through the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Mavericks managed to get back within three points of the Mustangs at 39-36 with 12:22 to go, but SMSU would manage to go back up by seven at 45-38 with 9:54 remaining.

The Mavericks continued to fight their way back and eventually took their first lead since the opening minutes of the game at 56-55 with 3:02 to go after a three pointer from freshman Malcolm Jones. The lead would change hands three times in the final three minutes, but it was the Mustangs who scored the final five points of the game to secure the 62-58 win.

Malik Willingham and sophomore Harrison Braudis led the Mavericks with 12 points each, while Jones notched nine points and seven rebounds. Willingham posted nine rebounds and four assists also.

As a team, MSU shot 37.9% from the field. The Mavericks also out rebounded the Mustangs 46-32.

Omot led all scorers with 17 points, while Jake Phipps tallied 13 points and four blocks.

As a team, SMSU shot 34.4% from the field. The Mustangs also scored 12 points off of 15 Maverick turnovers.

Minnesota State returns to action on Saturday, December 31, as it travels to Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

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