MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State's return to Taylor Center Friday evening proved to be a good one as the Mavericks outscored Bemidji State 42-24 in the second half, en route to an 83-60 win.
With the win, MSU improves to 10-7 on the season, including a 6-3 NSIC record. With the loss, BSU drops to 6-9, including a 3-6 conference record.
The early going of the first half saw senior
Kyreese Willingham set the paced as he opened the game with 14 points in the first six minutes of the game as he went 6-of-6 from the field. Be the midpoint of the first half a jump shot from senior
Justin Eagins would put the Mavericks up by 10 at 26-16 with 10:07 to go in the half.
The Beavers managed to get back within three points of the Mavericks on a couple of occasions but MSU would carry a 41-36 lead into halftime.
Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 21 points as he made 9-of-14 shots from the field. Sophomore
Caden Kirkman added seven points and four rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 41.0% from the field in the opening stanza.
John Pecarich led BSU in the first half with 12 points, while Daxton Dayley tallied 11 points and four rebounds. As a team, BSU shot 41.4% from the field.
BSU cut MSU's lead to three points in the first 3:26 of the half, but it would be all Minnesota State the rest of the way as the Mavericks outscored the Beavers 37-17 in the final 16:13 of the game to claim the 83-62 win.
Willingham finished with a game-high 24 points, while senior
Harrison Braudis notched 15 points. Junior
Chase Bartlett added 12 points, with all four of his makes coming from downtown. Freshman
Carson Schweim all 11 of his points in the second half as well. Kirkman hauled in six rebounds, while Eagins passed out eight assists also.
As a team, MSU shot 43.2% from the field, including a 14-of-36 (.389) showing from three point range. The Mavericks also scored 23 points off of 18 BSU turnovers.
Pecarich ended his game with 16 points, while Tate Olson notched 10 points and 10 rebounds.
As a team, BSU shot 37.9% from the field. The Beavers also hauled in 42 rebounds.
Minnesota State continues its homestand on Saturday as it hosts Minnesota Crookston. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Taylor Center.