MINOT, N.D. --- #1 Minnesota State suffered its first loss of the season Friday evening on the road as the Mavericks fell to #21 Minot State 81-71.

With the loss, the Mavericks drop to 16-1, including a 10-1 NSIC record. With the win, the Beavers improve to 14-3, including a 9-2 conference record.

"We lost the game in the first 10 minutes," head coach Matt Margenthaler said. "I would say that even though we didn't shoot the ball like we normally do our kids played with heart and grit the entire 40 minutes."

Minot State opened the first half outscoring the Mavericks 15-4 in the first 6:13 of the half. The Beavers would continue to add to their lead as they went up by 22 at 34-12 with 6:53 left in the opening stanza. Malik Willingham notched eight of MSU's first 12 points.

The Mavericks would then cut into Minot State's lead during the final 6:18 of the half as they outscored the Beavers 17-9 to bring the halftime score to 42-29 in favor of MISU.

Malik Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 12 points. Brady Williams added seven points and four rebounds as well. As a team, MSU shot 31.6% from the field in the first half.

Khari Broadway led the Beavers in the first half with nine points, while Connor Hollenbeck added eight points and seven rebounds. As a team, Minot State shot 56.3% from the field in the first 20 minutes.

The first seven minutes of the second half saw the Mavericks outscore the Beavers 14-7 to cut Minot State's lead to six at 49-43. Kyreese Willingham and Justin Eagins each chipped in with five points during that run. Minot State then responded with a 13-2 run of its own, including nine points from downtown, to go back up by 17 at 62-45 with 9:36 to go in the game.

The Mavericks would not go quietly however as they worked their way back to within five points of the Beavers at 75-70 with :59 to go. The Beavers were able to hold the Mavericks back in the final minute of the game however as they connected on six free throws to secure their 81-71 win.

Kyreese Willingham led all scorers with 21 points, while Eagins added 16 points as he connected of four shots from downtown. Malik Willingham recorded 14 points as well, while Harrison Braudis notched 11 points. Brady Williams added seven points and eight rebounds also in his first start of the season.

As a unit, MSU shot 38.9% from the field. The Mavericks also hauled in 39 rebounds and forced 12 Minot State turnovers.

Hollenbeck led Minot State with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Broadway tallied 12 points and six assists.

As a team, the Beavers shot 51.7% from the field, including a 10-of-22 (.455) showing from downtown. Minot State also passed out 16 assists.

Minnesota State wraps up its road trip on Saturday as it takes on the University of Mary. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at McDowell Activity Center.