MANNATO, Minn. --- #9 Minnesota State started its NSIC schedule off on the right foot Friday evening in Taylor Center as the Mavericks bested Sioux Falls 87-76.

With the win, MSU improves to 7-0, including a 1-0 NSIC record. With the loss, USF drops to 3-4, including a 1-1 conference record.

An early three-pointer from Malik Willingham put the Mavericks up 5-0 with 18:28 to play in the first half. Back-to-back layups for Harrison Braudis put the Mavericks up by 10, 21-11, but Sioux Falls would go on a two minute, 9-2 run capped off by a Zane Alm three-pointer that brought the Maverick lead to 23-20. The rest of the half, both teams exchanged blows, finishing the first half with a score of 38-33.
 
Malik Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 15 points as he connected on 5-of-9 shots from the field. As a unit, the Mavericks shot 45.2% from the field in the opening stanza, to go along with a 7-of-8 (.875) performance from the free throw line.

Shawn Warrior and Zane Alm led the Cougars in the first half with nine points each. As a team, USF shot 43.3% from the field.

The second half saw the Mavericks open with an 8-2 run to go up by 11 at 46-35. Over the next eight minutes, MSU would outscore the Cougars 23-16 to go up by 18 at 69-51 with 10:29 to go. Five different Mavericks reached the scoring column during that stretch, including Justin Eagins who notched eight points.

USF managed to get back within 11 points of the Mavericks at 75-64 with 6:33 to go, but the Cougars could not overcome the Mavericks as MSU locked down the 87-76 win.

Malik Willingham finished with a team0leading 20 points, while Eagins notched 17 points and four steals. Kyreese Willingham added 14 points, while Braudis tallied 13 points. Dylan Peeters notched his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with four blocks.

As a unit, MSU shot 44.4% from the field, while hauling in 40 rebounds. The Mavericks also cashed in on 25-of-33 (.758) attempts from the free throw line.

Jack Thompson led all scorers with 22 points, while Warrior added 20 points of his own.

As a team, USF shot 42.9% from the field, including a 9-of-18 (.500) showing from downtown.

Minnesota State wraps up its homestand on Saturday as it takes on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., at Taylor Center.