WAYNE, Neb. --- It came down to the finals seconds Friday evening, but a late basket from sophomore Kyreese Willingham with three seconds left proved to be the difference as Minnesota State bested Wayne State 67-66.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 16-9, including a 10-9 NSIC record. With the loss, WSC drops to 16-9, including an 11-8 conference record.

The first half proved to be a close contest as neither team led by more than six points. The Mavericks would led most if the way in the first 20 minutes as they led 14-8 with 10:35 to go in the half, after a pair of free throws from sophomore Mason Muller and Tyrell Stuttley.

The Wildcats would stay close and eventually take their first lead of the game at 22-20 with 6:40 to go in the half. Back-to-back baskets from the Mavericks would put MSU back up by three at 25-22 with 5:46 to go, but WSC would outscore the Mavericks 10-5 in the closing minutes to take a 32-30 lead into the locker room.

Senior Trevor Moore and Stuttley led the Mavericks in the first half with seven points each, while Kyreese Willingham hauled in eight rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 40.7% from the field in the opening stanza, while outrebounding the Wildcats 21-14.

Jordan Janssen led the Wildcats in the first half with 13 points and six rebounds, while Jay Saunders tallied eight points. As a team, WSC shot 40.7% from the field in the first half.

WSC held the lead through most of the early part of the second half. The Wildcats led by two at 45-43, but a three pointer from Malik Willingham gave the Mavericks their first lead of the second half at 46-45 with 11:43 to go. The lead would change hands three more time over the next three minutes as the Wildcats led 53-51 with 8:28 remaining.

The Wildcats would hold the lead over the next seven minutes as they led by four at 66-62 with 2:31 to go. With 1:03 left on the clock, Malik Willingham connected on his fifth three pointer of the game to cut WSC's lead to one at 66-65. After a defensive stop, the Mavericks rebounded the ball with 19 seconds to go. Kyreese Willingham then drove into the lane and connected on a jump shot with three seconds left to put the Mavericks up 67-66. WSC's last second three missed the mark as the Mavericks closed out the game with the 67-66 win.

Malik Willingham notched a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Kyreese Willingham posted a double-double of his own with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Moore scored 15 points as well.

As a team, MSU shot 42.6% from the field. The mavericks also hauled in 35 rebounds and cashed in on 11-of-15 attempts from the free throw line.

Janssen led the Wildcats with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Jay Saunders tallied 15 points and four rebounds.

As a team, WSC shot 46.4% from the field, while passing out 14 assists.

Minnesota State concludes its road trip on Saturday as it takes on the Augustana Vikings. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.