WAYNE, Neb. --- The lead changed hands several times in the second half Friday evening at Rice Auditorium but it was Minnesota State that was able to come away with the 64-61 road victory over Wayne State.

With the win, MSU improves to 5-4 on the season, including a 1-0 NSIC record. With the loss, WSC drops to 6-2, including a 0-2 conference record.

"This was a big road win for our program," head coach Matt Margenthaler said. "Our early difficult schedule helped us get this done tonight."

The first half saw a couple of lead changes as neither team led by more than nine points through the opening 20 minutes. By the midpoint of the half the Mavericks held a 14-11 lead as five players reached the scoring column for MSU including Harrison Braudis who tallied six points early on in the half.

The Mavericks increased their lead to nine at 22-13 with 5:39 left in the half, courtesy of a layup from junior David Harmon and a pair of threes from senior Justin Eagins. The Wildcats managed to get back within a basket at 24-21, but three baskets in the final 2:01 of the half ensured Minnesota State would take a 30-23 lead into halftime.

Braudis led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, while Eagins tallied six. As a team, MSU shot 44.4% from the field in the first half, including a 4-of-8 showing from downtown. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 14-8 advantage in points in the paint.

JJ Ferrin led the Wildcats in the first half with six points, while Cody McCullough added five points, all of which came at the free throw line. As a team, WSC shot 23.3% from the field and 7-of-8 (.875) from the free throw line.

The first 11 minutes of the second half saw four lead changes as the Mavericks held a 45-44 lead with 8:50 to go. Sophomore Caden Kirkman and senior Kyreese Willingham each recorded four points for the Mavericks during that stretch, while McCullough notched 11 points for the Wildcats. With just under five minutes to go in the game a jumper by WSC's Sean Stokes tied the game at 53-53.

The Wildcats managed to go up 55-54, but back-to-back baskets from Willingham and Eagins put MSU back up by three at 58-55 with 3:32 to go. With the Mavericks leading by three at 64-61 with the final seconds ticking away, the Wildcats were able to get a pair of three point shots off, but neither of them could find the bottom of the net as the Mavericks held on to the 64-61 win.

Braudis led the Mavericks with 18 points, while Eagins finished with 12 points. Willingham added 14 points and three blocks, while Kirkman finished with eight points and seven rebounds.

As a team, MSU shot 50.9% (27-of-53) from the field. The Mavericks also hauled in 35 rebounds and recorded eight second chance points.

McCullough led all scorers with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Stokes finished with 14 points and 10 steals.

As a team, WSC shot 36.7% from the field and 14-of-15 (.933) from the free throw line.

Minnesota State wraps up its road trip on Saturday as it takes on Augustana. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon.