MANKATO, Minn. --- It came down to overtime Tuesday evening in Taylor Center, but it was #3 Minnesota State that was able to come away with the 100-96 win against #21 Minnesota Duluth.

With the MSU improves to 13-0 on the season, including a 7-0 NSIC record. With the loss, UMD drops to 10-3, including a 5-2 conference record. MSU's 13-0 start is its second best start to a season under head coach Matt Margenthaler. The Mavericks began the 2009-10 season with a 17-0 record.

The first half proved to be a close contest as the lead changed hands nine times, with neither team leading by more than six points. Five minutes into the half, UMD built a quick 15-9 lead, but the Mavericks would respond with a 12-3 run over their own to go up 21-18 with 11 minutes to go in the half.

The lead would change hands five more times during the final 10 minutes of the half. The Bulldogs led by four at 43-42 with 53 seconds to go, but a three pointer from Justin Eagins would bring the Mavericks back to within one of UMD at 43-42 as the game went into halftime.

Malik Willingham paced the Maverick offense in the first half as he notched 12 points, to go along with three assists. Dylan Peeters added eight points and three rebounds also. As a team, MSU shot 50.0% from the field in the opening stanza.

Drew Blair led all scorers in the first half with 17 points, while Charlie Kotona tallied eight points and six rebounds. As a team, UMD shot 50.0% from the field in the first half.

The game remained close throughout the second half as both teams were knotted up at 72-72 with 6:07 to go in regulation. MSU would then put together a 7-0 run over the next 1:10, including five points from Eagins, to take a 79-72 lead with 4:32 to go.

The Mavericks still led by five at 84-79 with :30 to go, but a UMD layup and a series of Maverick turnovers and fouls allowed the Bulldogs to knot up the score at 84-84 to force overtime.

In overtime, the Mavericks went back up by five points at 93-88 with 2:35 to go. Peeters recorded a pair of baskets, while Elijah Hazekamp notched a three pointer during MSU's 9-4 run to open overtime. UMD would then answer right back over the next 1:21 as the Bulldogs tied the game at 94-94 with :50 to go in overtime.

On their next possession the Mavericks answered right back as Malik Willingham dished the ball to Peeters whose dunk would put MSU back in front 96-94 with :35 remaining. UMD would miss on its next possession and was forced to foul. Malik Willingham connected on both his free throws to put MSU up by four at 98-94. Both teams would then exchange two more free throws in the closing seconds, with the two from Peeters bringing the final score to 100-96 in favor of the Mavericks.

Peeters finished his night with his 21st career double-double as he tallied a career-high 27 points, to go along with 10 rebounds. Malik Willingham notched a team-leading 29 points and passed out eight assists, while Eagins and Hazekamp finished with 17 points and 15 points, respectively.

As a team, MSU shot 49.3% from the field, including a 12-of-29 (.414) showing from downtown. The Mavericks also cashed in on 22-of-25 (.880) free throw attempts.

Drew Blair led all scorers with 34 points, while Charlie Katona notched a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds.

As a team, UMD shot 42.5% from the field, to go with a 23-of-33 (.697) performance from the free throw line. The Bulldogs also hauled in 50 rebounds.

Minnesota State returns to action on January 5 as it hosts Northern State. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at Taylor Center.