MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State put together another second-half rally Thursday evening in Taylor Center as the Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 84-80.

With the win, MSU improves to 8-5, including a 4-1 NSIC record. With the loss, CSP drops to 9-3, including a 4-2 conference record.

The first 16 minutes of the first half favored the Golden Bears as they built a 17-point lead at 38-21 with 4:25 to go in the half.

Trailing by 17, Minnesota State rallied in the final four minutes of the half as it outscored CSP 16-8 to cut the Golden Bear lead to 46-37 as the teams went into the locker room. Five different Mavericks scored during the final minutes of the half, including senior Justin Eagins who notched five points, while sophomore Caden Kirkman added four.

MSU shot 6-of-7 from the field in the final four minutes of the half, including back-to-back three pointers from Eagins and junior Chase Bartlett.

Eagins led the Maverick offense in the first half with nine points, while Kirkman added seven points. As a unit, MSU shot 42.9% from the field in the first half.

Cade Meyer from CSP led all scorers in the first half with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Ian Sluice added nine points. As a team, CSP shot 53.1% from the field in the opening stanza.

The Mavericks kept things going as they opened the second half on a 13-0 run to go up 50-46 with 16:19 to go. Senior Harrison Braudis recorded six of MSU's points on three straight baskets. The lead would change hands four more times over the next few minutes as MSU led 62-57 with 9:44 to go.

The Mavericks would lead as many as 11 points down the stretch, but the Golden Bears were able to get back within one point of MSU at 80-79 with :21 to go. CSP would send the Mavericks to the line twice in the final 11 seconds of the game, Eagins and senior Kyreese Willingham did not let the moment faze them as they hit both of their free throws to secure the 84-80 win.

Eagins led all scorers with 23 points and in the process he reached 1,500 points for his career. Eagins also hauled in eight rebounds and passed out five assists. Willingham added 16 shots and five rebounds, while both Kirkman and Braudis finished with 12 points each.

As a unit, MSU shot 45.8% from the field, to go along with a 13-of-8 (.722) showing from the free throw line. The Mavericks also hauled in 40 rebounds and passed out 13 assists.

Meyer led the Golden Bears with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Antwan Kimmons tallied 16 points and eight rebounds.

As a team, CSP shot 45.6% from the field and 22-of-34 (.647) from the free throw line.

Minnesota State wraps up the 2024 calendar year on the road this Saturday as it takes on Winona State. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at McCown Gymnasium.