MANKATO, Minn. --- It came down to the closing seconds Friday evening in Taylor Center, but its was Minnesota State that was able to come away with the 81-76 win against Wayne State.

With the win, Minnesota State improves to 15-7 on the season, including an 8-7 NSIC record. With the loss, Wayne State drops to 12-10, including a 9-7 conference record.

The first half saw the Wildcats lead throughout as they led by as many as 10 points. WSC built a 10-point lead at 19-9 with 13:38 to go in the half, but the Mavericks would chip away at their lead and eventually pulled to within three at 21-18 by the midpoint of the half. 

The Mavericks would stay within at least eight points of the Wildcats through the rest of the half as WSC carried a 38-32 lead into the locker room.

Sophomore Quincy Anderson led the Mavericks in the first half with 14 points, while freshman Kyreese Willingham notched seven points and five rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 45.8% from the field in the first half.

Nate Mohr led all scorers in the first half with 15 points, while Justin Eagins notched 10 points. WSC shot 51.7% from the field in the first half.

The Wildcats maintained their lead in the early part of the second half as they led by seven at 56-49 with 11:13 to go in the game. Over the next two minutes the Mavericks would outscore the Wildcats 10-2, including five points from Kyreese Willingham to take their first lead of the game at 59-58 with 9:00 to go.

The lead would change hands four more times down the stretch. A basket from WSC's Just Eagins with 1:38 to go tied the score at 74-74, but the Mavericks would take the lead for good with :26 remaining as Kyreese Willingham drilled a three from the corner to put MSU up 77-74. A pair of free throws from sophomore Malik Willingham and junior Devonte Thedford iced the game for the Mavericks as MSU claimed the 81-76 win.

Anderson led all scorers with 25 points, while Kyreese Willingham notched a season-high 20 points, to go along with eight rebounds. Malik Willingham finished with 15 points, 12 of which came in the second half, to go along with five assists. Thedford notched 10 points also. 

As a team, MSU shot 50% from the field, including a 13-of-25 (.520) performance from downtown. The Maverick bench outscored the WSC bench 27-9.

Mohr led the Wildcats with 24 points, while Eagins finished with 18 points.

Minnesota State concludes its home weekend on Saturday as it hosts #9 Augustana. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at Taylor Center.

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