MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team picked up its second straight win Friday evening in Taylor Center as it topped St. Cloud State 78-65.

With the win, MSU improves to 12-3, including a 6-3 NSIC record. With the loss, SCSU falls to 5-9, including a 2-7 conference record.

Five minutes into the game the Mavericks build a five-point lead at 10-5, which included five points from senior Trevor Moore. By the midpoint of the half the Mavericks built their largest lead of the opening stanza at 16 as they led 23-7 with 10:03 to go.

St. Cloud State managed to get back within seven points of the Mavericks at 26-19 with 6:40 left in the half, but the Mavericks would finish the half outscoring the Huskies 12-4 to take a 38-23 lead into the locker room.

Moore led all scorers with 11 points, while sophomore Kyreese Willingham notched seven points and five rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 45.2% from the field in the first half.

Matthew Willert led the Huskies in the first half with 10 points. As a team, SCSU shot 23.3% from the field in the opening stanza.

The Mavericks led through the majority of the second half as they led by seven at 54-47 with 9:53 to go in the game. SCSU would then put together an 11-3 run over the next four minutes to take a 68-67 lead with 5:44 to go. The Mavericks responded immediately however as sophomore Malik Willingham connected from downtown to put the Mavericks back up 70-68 on their next possession.

The three pointer from Malik Willingham jump started a 10-0 run for the Mavericks as they went up 67-58 with 4:06 remaining. The Huskies would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way as MSU locked down the 78-65 win.

Kyreese Willingham notched his third career double-double, and second against SCSU, with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Moore and Malik Willingham each netted 15 points and three steals for the Mavericks as well. Malik Willingham passed out a team-leading five assists also.

As a unit, MSU shot 46.3% from the field. The Mavericks also outrebounded the Huskies 47-37.

Luke Taylor posted 18 points, while Willert added 18 points and nine rebounds.

As a team, SCSU shot 33.3% from the field, including a 9-of-39 (.231) showing from long range.

Minnesota State wraps up its home weekend on Saturday as it hosts the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at Taylor Center.