MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State men's basketball team opened its home schedule with a 116-62 win over Dakota State.

With the win, MSU improves to 4-0 on the season. The game will count as an exhibition for DSU.

"I thought our team tonight did exactly what we were supposed to do and worried about ourselves," head coach Matt Margenthaler said. "This week is about us getting better as a team going into the conference season."

Minnesota State made three-straight threes to open the game with Kyreese Willingham connecting on two and Justin Eagins with the other to put the Mavericks up 9-0. A couple of free throws and a Malik Willingham three put the Mavericks up 14-0. Minnesota State then went on a 35-18 run on the back of eight points from Eagins and Harrison Braudis. The team shot 13-23 from the field in that stretch and 6-12 from three.

At the end of the first half, Brady Williams led all scorers with 14 points. Eagins had 11 points on 100% shooting (4-4 FG, 3-3 3pt). Kyreese Willingham had eight points and three assists. Braudis had eight points as well and six rebounds.

Dakota State was led by Mison Coilton in the first half, who had 11 points on 5-8 shooting, one block and two steals. Kenny Haynes had 10 points for the Trojans in the first half on 4-9 shooting.
Minnesota State shot 60.5% from the field in the first half, including 55.6% from three-point range. Dakota State shot just 33.3% in the first half and just 18.2% from three. The Mavericks out rebounded the Trojans 28-13 and passed out 12 more assists in the first half.

The Mavericks opened up the first four minutes of the second half on an 11-4 run, where Kyreese Willingham and Dylan Peeters each had four points. Minnesota State dominated the rest of the half, closing out the game scoring 52 in the final half while allowing just 33 as it came away with the 116-62 win. The Mavericks shot 59.5% in the second half. Malcom Jones had 11 points and five rebounds in the second half. Will Opsahl had eight points and three assists.

Jones and Williams both finished the game with 14 points to lead Minnesota State. Jones also had 11 rebounds to give him a double-double. Kyreese Willingham had 12 points, Eagins had 11 and Braudis had 10.

The Mavericks ended the game with a 60% field goal percentage, shooting 44.8 percent from three. Minnesota State outrebounded the Trojans 51-27 and scored 58 points in the paint. The Mavericks finished with four blocks, three steals and 28 assists, while turning the ball over just seven times.

Dakota State was led in scoring by Coilton who finished with 11 points. The Trojans ended the game with a 35.6% shooting percentage with a 35.3% three-point percentage. Dakota State had just seven assists in the game and turned the ball over 10 times.

Minnesota State continues its homestand this Friday as it hosts Waldorf. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., at Taylor Center.