MANAKTO, Minn. --- #5 Minnesota State picked up its ninth home win of the season Friday evening in Taylor Center as the Mavericks bested St. Cloud State 88-67.

With the win, MSU improves to 18-1, including a 12-1 NSIC record. With the loss, SCSU drops to 8-11, including a 4-9 conference record. The Mavericks now sit atop the NSIC standings, one game ahead of #3 MSU Moorhead.

It proved to be a close game early on in the first half as the Mavericks held a 12-10 lead. MSU would then put together a 10-0 run, including five points from Harrison Braudis, to go up by 12 at 2-10 with 9:40 to go in the half.

The Mavericks continued to add to their lead as they went up by as many as 20 points before taking a 43-25 lead into halftime.

Kyreese Willingham set the pace in the first half as he led all scorers with 18 points as he connected on 6-of-8 attempts from the field, including a 5-of-5 showing from downtown. Malcolm Jones added six points and eight rebounds as well.

As a team, MSU shot 48.6% from the field in the first half, including an 8-of-12 clip from three point range. The Maverick also enjoyed a 27-14 advantage in rebounds.

Anish Ramlall and Nate Dahl led the Huskies in the first half with six points each. As a team, SCSU shot 31.3% from the field in the first half.

The second half saw the Huskies get back within 14 points of the Mavericks at 58-44 with 11:43 remaining in the game as SCSU outscored MSU 19-15. Over the next five minutes, MSU would respond with a 15-2 run of its own to go up by 27 at 73-46 with 6:59 to go. The Mavericks made six of their eight shots from the field during that stretch, as Jones led the way with five points.

Minnesota State would lead by at least 20 points the rest of the way as it went on to secure the 88-67 win.

Kyreese Willingham finished his night with 20 points and five rebounds, while Jones notched his third career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Malik Willingham tallied 14 points and five assists, while Elijah Hazekamp posted 10 points. Brady Williams hauled in nine rebounds also.

As a team, MSU shot 51.5% from the field, including a 10-of-20 (.500) performance from three point land. The Mavericks also passed out 20 assists and blocked six shots. Minnesota State dominated on the glass as it outrebounded the Huskies 50-30, with the Maverick bench accounting for 29 of MSU's 50 rebounds.

Jamir Allen and Wyatt Hawks each tallied 10 points for the Huskies.

As a team, SCSU shot 36.4% from the field, including an 11-of-34 (.364) clip from long range. The Huskies recorded 13 assists and seven steals as well.

Minnesota State finishes its weekend this Saturday as it hosts #3 MSU Moorhead. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at Taylor Center.