SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- #6 Minnesota State kept things rolling Friday evening on the road as the Mavericks bested Augustana 85-72 at the Sanford Pentagon.

With the win, MSU improves to 9-0 on the season, including a 3-0 NSIC record. With the loss, AU drops to 5-4, including a 1-3 conference record.

"I thought we stayed business like and did what we were supposed to do," head coach Matt Margenthaler said. "Our guys played very well together tonight, but it's just one. We need to finish tomorrow at Wayne."

There were three lead changes early on in the first half as the game was tied 7-7 just four minutes in. MSU would then go on an 8-2 run to build a 15-9 lead with 13:15 to go in the half, with four different Mavericks netting two points each. The Mavericks would maintain their lead up to the midpoint of the half as the Mavericks led 23-18 after the 10 minute media timeout.

Augustana managed to get back within one of the Mavericks at 23-22 with 8:41 to go in the half, but MSU would outscore Augustana 24-12 in the final 8:18 of the half. Kyreese Willingham notched 12 points during that stretch for the Mavericks, while Justin Eagins recorded five points, as the Mavericks carried a 47-34 lead into halftime.

Kyreese Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 16 points as he shot 4-of-5 from three point range. Eagins notched 13 points as well, including a 3-of-4 showing from downtown. As a unit, MSU shot 57.1% from the field in the first half, including an 8-of-15 (.533) performance from three point range.

Caden Hinker led the Vikings in the first half with 12 points as he connected on 6-of-10 shots from the field. As a unit, Augie shot 41.7% from the field in the first half and passed out 10 assists.

The Mavericks opened the second half outscoring the Vikings 11-4 to take a 20-point lead at 58-38 with 15:53 to go in the game, only to see the Vikings answer with a 15-6 run of their own to cut MSU's lead to 11 at 64-53 with 11:10 remaining.
Augustana managed to get back within nine points of the Mavericks at 74-65 with 3:27 to go, but the Vikings would get no closer as MSU finished the game on an 11-7 run to secure the 85-72 win. Eagins notched eight points during the closing stretch, including a 6-of-6 showing from the free throw line.

Eagins led all scorers as he notched a season-high 25 points, which included an 8-of-8 showing from the free throw line. Kyreese Willingham recorded a season-high 23 points, including five three pointers, to go along with nine rebounds and four steals. Malik Willingham added 19 points and four rebounds also.

As a team, MSU shot 54.9% from the field, including a 9-of-20 (.450) showing from three. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 37-30 advantage on the glass, while passing out 15 assists.

Isaac Fink led the Vikings with 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Hinker added 14 points also, while Jadan Graves passed out nine assists.

As a team, AU shot 42.3% from the field, including a 6-of-20 (.300) showing from three point range. The Vikings also passed out 18 assists.

Minnesota State finishes its weekend on the road this Saturday as it takes on Wayne State. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., at Rice Auditorium.