MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team got tripped up Friday evening at Taylor Center as Southwest Minnesota State defeated the Mavericks 73-67.

With the loss, MSU drops to 14-10, including an 8-9 conference record. With the win, SMSU improves to 14-8, including a 10-7 conference record.

The first half proved to be close throughout as neither team led by more than six points. SMSU held a 12-11 lead with 13:37 remaining in the first half and would hold its one-point lead by the midpoint of the first half.

With 7:16 to go in the half, SMSU held a six point lead at 23-17. The Mavericks would then finish the half on a 19-9 run to take a 36-32 lead into halftime.

Senior Trevor Moore led the Mavericks in the first half with 10 points, while sophomore Kyreese Willingham notched nine points and six rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 36.1% from the field in the first half.

Majuk Majouk and Jake Phipps led the Mustangs in the first half with nine points each. As a team, SMSU shot 44.4% from the field in the first half.

The first seven minutes of the second half saw the Mustangs outscore the Mavericks 16-0 as they went up 48-36. SMSU would extend its lead to 19 points at 59-40 with 7:39 to go in the games.

MSU managed to get back within five points of the Mustangs but they would get no closer as SMSU held on to the 73-67 win.

Kyreese Willingham finished with a double-double as he notched 18 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Junior Malik Willingham and Moore each netted 15 points also, with Malik passing out six assists.

As a team, MSU shot 33.8% from the field. The Mavericks also hauled in 23 offensive boards and held a 46-34 advantage in rebounds overall.

Majouk led all scorers with 20 points, while Phipps added 19 points and nine rebounds.

As a team, SMSU shot 51.1% from the field, including a 14-of-23 (.583) showing from three point range.

Minnesota State wraps up its homestand on Saturday as it takes on the Sioux Falls Cougars. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.