MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State bounced back decisively Saturday evening as it bested Sioux Falls 73-42.

With the win, MSU improves to 15-9, including a 9-9 NSIC record. With the loss, USF drops to 16-8, including an 11-7 conference record.

The Mavericks held the lead through most of the first half as they led by as many as 22 points. A jump shot from sophomore Kyreese Willingham gave the Mavericks an 11-point lead at 15-4 with 12:00 to go in the half.

MSU would maintain their double-digit lead through the rest of the half. A three pointer from sophomore Harrison Braudis put the Mavericks up by 22 at 37-15 with just under a minute to go. USF managed to get a basket in the closing seconds as MSU carried a 37-17 lead into the locker room.

Junior Malik Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, while Kyreese Willingham tallied eight points. As a team, MSU shot 50.0% from the field in the first half.
Zane Alm led the Cougar offense in the first half with six points. As a team, USF shot 30.8% from the field in the opening stanza.

The Mavericks would maintain their doubled-digit lead throughout the entire second half and not look back as they led by as many as 33 points, en route to a 73-42 win.

Malik Willingham finished with 33 points as he connected of 6-of-11 shots from downtown. Kyreese Willingham added eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks also, while senior Trevor Moore tallied nine points.

As a team, MSU shot 49.2% from the field, including a 14-of-29 (.483) showing from three point range. The Mavericks also hauled in 38 rebounds and passed out 14 steals.
Zane Alm led the Cougars with eight points, while Kenji Scales tallied seven points.

As a team, USF shot 29.1% from the field, including a 2-of-27 (.074) showing from three point range.

Minnesota State begins a two-game road trip on Friday as it takes on Wayne State. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.