SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- It came down to the closing seconds Saturday evening on the road, but a layup from freshman Will Opsahl with three seconds left proved to be the difference as Minnesota State defeated Augustana 71-70.

With the win, MSU improves to 6-4 on the season, including a 2-0 NSIC record. With the loss, AU drops to 3-6, including a 0-3 conference record.

"We had a very nice little weekend for our program," head coach Matt Margenthaler said. "We just willed ourselves to a win tonight. Going 2-0 on the road is a great way to start the conference schedule."

The early part of the first half saw three lead changes as the Vikings led 16-14 with 10:27 to go in the half. Four different Mavericks reached the scoring column during the opening minutes of the game, including senior Kyreese Willingham who recorded five points. The Vikings would eventually go up by eight at 24-16 with 7:32 to go in the half.

Minnesota State then responded with a 21-9 run over the final 7:18 of the half to take a 37-33 lead into halftime. Opsahl tallied seven points during that stretch, while Willingham recorded five points.

Kyreese Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, while Opsahl tallied 11 points. Sophomore Caden Kirkman recorded seven rebounds also.

As a team, MSU shot 40.0$ (12-of-30) from the field in the first half and 8-of-10 (.800) from the free throw line.

Sam Rensch and Connor Kraft led the Vikings in the first half with seven points each. As a unit, AU shot 41.7% from the field in the opening stanza, while hauling in 22 rebounds.

The second half saw the Mavericks lead by as many as 10 points but with 2:39 to go in the game, the Vikings fought their way back to tie the score at 67-67 with 2:49 to go. MSU retook the lead on its next possession as Kirkman got the layup, only to see Augie jump in front by one at 70-69 after a three pointer from Akoi Akoi with 1:57 to go.

Both teams missed their next two shots before Willingham came away with a defensive rebound with nine seconds to go. As he dribbled up court the Augie defense focused in on Willingham who then found the open Opsahl for the easy layup to put MSU up 71-70 with three seconds remaining. AU's Tanner Te Slaa managed to get off a three point shot as time expired but it bounced off the rim as MSU went on to claim the 71-70 win.

Willingham finished his night with a game-high 24 points as he shot 9-of-16 from the field. Both Opsahl and Kirkman added 13 points of their own, with Kirkman also hauling in seven rebounds. Senior Harrison Braudis passed our six assists also.

As a unit, MSU shot 44.3% from the field and 12-of-17 (.706) from the free throw line. The Mavericks also forced 13 turnovers and passed out 12 assists.

Bennett Fried led the Vikings with 20 points, while Te Slaa added 12 points and eight rebounds. Akoi added nine points and nine rebounds also.

As a team, AU shot 46.9% from the field, including an 8-of-16 showing from three point range. The Vikings also hauled in 40 rebounds.

Minnesota State begins a three-game homestand on Friday as it hosts Southwest Minnesota State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Taylor Center.