ABERDEEN, S.D. --- Minnesota State controlled the pace throughout Friday evening in Aberdeen as the Mavericks bested Northern State 87-59.

With the win, MSU improves to 13-8 on the season, including a 9-4 NSIC record. With the loss, NSU drops to 1-18, including a 0-13 conference record.

"We were locked in at the start of the game which was all the difference in the game," head coach Matt Margenthaler said. "Our veterans led us."

The first five minutes of the game saw the Mavericks make 8-of-10 of their shots from the field as they built at 19-4 lead. Senior Kyreese Willingham notched seven of MSU's points in the opening stretch, while sophomore Caden Kirkman tallied six points. By the midpoint of the opening stanza, NSU was able to cut into MSU's lead as the Mavericks led 24-12 with just under 10 minutes to go in the half.

Minnesota State would lead by as many as 23 points in the first half as it carried a 43-28 lead into halftime.

Senior Justin Eagins led all scorers in the first half with 13 points, while Willingham added 12 points and five rebounds. Kirkman added eight points in the first half also as he connected on 4-of-5 shots from the field, while graduate student Drew Daniel added seven points off the bench.

As a team, MSU shot 14-of-31 (.452) from the field in the first half, to go along with a 9-of-10 showing from the line. The Mavericks also hauled in 19 rebounds.

Kaleb Mitchell led the Wolves in the first half with nine points and four rebounds, while James Glenn tallied four points and six rebounds.

As a team, NSU shot 34.6% from the field in the first half, to go with a 7-of-8 showing from the free throw line.

The first eight minutes of the second half saw the Mavericks outscore the Wolves 27-13 as they led 70-41 with 11:59 to go. Five Mavericks scored during that stretch, including senior Harrison Braudis who tallied nine points and Willingham who notched eight points.

Minnesota State would not look back the rest of the way as the Mavericks led by as many as 31 points before coming away with the 87-59 win.

Willingham led the Mavericks with 22 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Eagins added 15 points and six assists, while Kirkman tallied 12 points and five rebounds. Braudis finished with nine points, while Daniel, junior David Harmon and freshman Will Opsahl each notched seven points.

As a team, MSU shot 31-of-65 (.477) from the field and 16-of-18 (.889) from the free throw line. MSU hauled in 38 rebounds and outscored the Wolves 40-20 in the paint and 21-6 in points off turnovers.

Devin Brooke tallied 17 points, while Mitchell finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.

As a team, NSU shot 38.2% from the field. The Wolves recorded 16 assists but committed 16 turnovers.

Minnesota State continues its season on Thursday as it travels to Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Gangelhoff Center.