MANKATO, Minn. —- #9 Minnesota State suffered its first loss of the season Friday evening at Taylor Center as the Mavericks fell to Augustana 63-57.

With the loss, MSU drops to 9-1 on the season, including a 3-1 NSIC record. With the win, AU improves to 6-4, including a 2-2 conference record.

The first half saw the Vikings build a quick 10-point lead at 11-1, as Jadan Graves connected on three shots from three point land. The Mavericks would answer with a 10-0 run of their own, including five points from junior Malik Willingham, to tie the score at 11-11. Augie would eventually go up by four at 15-11 at the midpoint of the opening stanza.

AU would outscore the Mavericks 16-7 in the final 10 minutes of the first half to take a 31-18 lead into the locker room.

Senior Trevor Moore and Malik Willingham each tallied five points for the Mavericks in the first half. As a unit, MSU shot 17.2% from the field in the opening stanza.

Graves led all scorers in the first half with 20 points. As a team, AU shot 37.6% from the field in t he first half.

Early on in the second half the Mavericks managed to get back within seven points on a few occasions, but with just under 10 minutes to go in the game, Augustana held a 44-36 lead. A 7-0 run by the Mavericks would then cut AU's lead to three at 44-41with 8:09 remaining.

MSU still trailed by three at 60-57 with 1:32 to go, but Augustana would get the final three points in the final 90 seconds to lock down the 63-57 win.

Malik Willingham notched 14 points, and four assists for the Mavericks, while sophomore Kyreese Willingham tallied 12 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Brady Williams hauled in 11 rebounds also.

As a team, MSU shot 31.6% from the field. The Mavericks also hauled in 33 rebounds and passed out eight assists.

Graves led Augustana with 35 points and seven rebounds. Bennett Otto tallied seven points and six rebounds.

As a team, AU shot 32.8% from the field, including a 41.7% showing from three point land.

Minnesota State finishes its homestead on Saturday as it takes on Wayne State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., at Taylor Center.

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