WINONA, Minn. --- It proved to be a high scoring affair Saturday afternoon in Winona as #10 Minnesota State battled its way to a 49-42 win over the Winona State Warriors.

With the win, MSU improves to 9-1 on the season, including an 8-1 NSIC record. With the loss, WSU drops to 4-9, including a 4-5 conference record.

"I thought we were in control for most of the game but they just kept on fighting," head coach Todd Hoffner said. "They got the ball back late and had a chance but our defense stepped up with a couple of sacks at the end. At the end of the day we made more plays than they did to win the game."

The first half saw the Mavericks set the pace as they outscored the Warriors 28-7 in the first 30 minutes. MSU went up 14-0 early as junior Hayden Ekern notched a three-yard touchdown run, before sophomore Grant Guyett caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ekern. WSU managed to get on the board courtesy of a 75-yard touchdown run from Quentin Pringle to cut MSU's lead to 14-7 in the first.

In the second quarter, the Mavericks notched the only two scores the take a 28-7 lead into halftime. Ekern capped off a 71-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run, before junior Shen Butler-Lawson tallied a 39-yard touchdown carry of his own.

Both teams would notch two touchdowns in the third quarter as the Mavericks held the 42-21 lead. Butler-Lawson recorded a 21-yard touchdown run, while junior Tony Anger caught a three-yard touchdown pass. Winona State's scores came via a seven-yard touchdown run from Pringle and an 8-yard touchdown carry from Ty Gavin.

In the fourth quarter, WSU opened with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Cole Stenstrom to Sylvere Campbell to bring the score to 42-28, only to see the Mavericks answer right back with an eight-play touchdown drive that was finished via a one-yard touchdown carry from Butler-Lawson.

After Butler-Lawson notched his third touchdown carry of the game, Winona State needed just one play to get back within 14 points of the Mavericks as Stenstrom connected with Campbell on a 79-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 49-35 with 8:38 to go.

After forcing a three and out, WSU took over on its own 25 and drove 75-yards down field to get back within seven of the Mavericks at 49-42 as Stenstrom finished the six-play drive with a one-yard touchdown carry with 4:27 to go.

Facing a third and one on the WSU 33, MSU would convert via a four-yard rush up the middle by Anger. WSU would have to use all three of its timeouts as MSU was looking at a fourth and one on the WSU 20. This time WSU would hold Anger at the line as the Warriors took over on downs on their own 20 with 1:43 to go.

The Warriors managed to get up to their own 43, but two incomplete passes and two sacks courtesy of junior Maven Kretche and the combo of junior Cody Brown and sophomore Caleb Paulus, would give the ball back to the Mavericks as they held on to the 49-42 win.

Ekern finished his day completing 23-of-33 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, marking the second time in his career that he has thrown for more than 300 yards in a game. He also ran in two touchdowns. Butler-Lawson recorded 172 rushing yards and three touchdown carries also. Butler-Lawson has now rushed for more than 100 yards in a game six times this season.

Guyett led the Maverick receivers with 74 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Isaiah Emanuel caught five passes for 70 yards.

Junior Cody Brown led the Maverick defense with six tackles, while junior Khai West recorded two interceptions, including one in the end zone for a touchback. Junior Antonio Alzheimer recovered a fumble as well.

Minnesota State concludes its regular season schedule on Saturday, November 11, as it hosts Minnesota Duluth at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.