WINONA, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team finished the 2024 calendar year Saturday evening with an 88-75 loss to Winona State on the road.

With the loss, MSU drops to 8-6, including a 4-2 NSIC record. With the win, WSU improves to 10-3, including a 5-2 conference record.

The early going of the first half saw the Mavericks make 6-of-7 shots from behind the three point line as MSU led 20-12 with 13:33 to go. Five Mavericks recorded at least one basket during the opening stretch, including senior Justin Eagins and freshman Will Opsahl who each tallied six points.

Winona State then responded with a 27-5 run over the next 10:25 to go up 39-25 with just over two minutes to go in the half. The Mavericks were able to get the final three baskets of the half to cut into WSU's lead as the Warriors took a 39-31 lead into halftime.

Eagins paced the Maverick offense in the first half with 10 points, while senior Harrison Braudis recorded seven points. As a team, MSU shot 36.4% from the field in the first half as the Mavericks outrebounded the Warriors 23-13.

Isaiah Thompson led the Warriors in the first half with 13 points and five rebounds, while Luke Haertle added seven points. As a team, WSU shot 51.6% from the field in the first half.

MSU continued to battle its way back early on in the second half as a pull back jumper from Eagins brought the Mavericks back to within one of the Warriors at 55-54 with 9:42 remaining. The Mavericks outscored the Warriors 23-16 during the first 10:18 of the second half as Eagins recorded 12 points, while Opsahl tallied seven.

A dunk from sophomore Caden Kirkman with 6:29 to go made it's a three-point game at 64-61, but the Warriors would finish the game on a 24-14 run to secure the 88-75 win. Fourteen of WSU's final 24 points of the game came from the free throw line.

Eagins finished with a season-high 25 points, while matching his career-high in assists with eight. Senior Kyreese Willingham recorded 18 points and five rebounds also, while Opsahl finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Kirkman added 12 points and eight rebounds as well.

As a team, MSU shot 44.8% from the field, including a 12-of-31 (.387) showing from downtown. The Mavericks also hauled in 37 rebounds and passed out 13 assists.

Thompson led the Warriors with 25 points and nine rebounds. Haertle finished with 18 points also.

As a team, WSU shot 49.1% from the field and cashed in on 21-of-21 shots from the free throw line. The Warriors also passed out 17 assists.

Minnesota State returns to action on Friday. Jan. 3 as it travels to the University of Mary. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at McDowell Activity Center.