MANKATO, Minn. --- It came down to closing seconds Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center, but it was #9 Minnesota State that was able to come away with the 93-89 win.

With the win, MSU improves to 8-0, including a 2-0 NSIC record. With the loss, SMSU drops to 4-3, including a 1-2 conference record.

The first half was close throughout as neither team led by four points through the first stanza. By the midpoint of the first half SMSU held a 22-19 lead after a jumper from Aeron Stevens. The Mavericks would then respond with a 12-6 run during the next three minutes to take a 31-28 lead. Harrison Braudis notched five of MSU's points during that stretch.

The lead would change hands six more times in the final 6:26 of the half as a three-point play from Malik Willingham with two seconds left gave the Mavericks a 49-47 lead going into halftime.
Malik Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 15 points and three assists, while Dylan Peeters added nine points. As a team, MSU shot 54.8% from the field to go with a 10-of-14 (.714) showing from the line.

Aeron Stevens led the Mustangs in the first half with 13 points, while Jakob Braaten added eight points and four rebounds. As a unit, SMSU shot 63.0% from the field in the first half and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

With 11:18 to go in the game SMSU built a six-point lead at 66-60. MSU then responded with an 8-3 run, including five points from Peeters, to cut SMSU's lead to one at 69-68 with 9:08 to go. The lead would change hands multiple times up to the closing seconds as a layup from Jake Phipps gave the Mustangs an 89-88 lead with 40 seconds remaining.

The Mavericks missed their first shot at regaining the lead but a key offensive board from Kyreese Willingham set the table for Justin Eagins who connected on a three pointer with 25 seconds to go to put MSU up 91-89. SMSU missed its following shot and was forced to foul. Malik Willingham would then hit both of his free throws in the closing seconds to ice the 93-89 win for the Mavericks.

Malik Willingham led all scorers with 27 points, which included a 4-of-8 showing from downtown. Peeters added 17 points also, while Eagins finished with 14 points and three assists. Kyreese Willingham notched 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

As a unit, MSU shot 50.8% from the field, including a 13-of-28 (.464) performance from three point range. The Mavericks also scored 14 points off of 13 SMSU turnovers.

Jake Phipps led the Mustangs with 19 points and six rebounds, while Stevens finished with 18 points and six rebounds. Kyle Luedtke added 16 points as well.

As a team, SMSU shot 61.5% from the field, including a 9-of-17 (.529) performance from downtown.

Minnesota State continues its season on the road Friday as it takes on Augustana. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.


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