BISMARCK, N.D. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team started off the new year with a 90-49 road win against the University of Mary Friday evening.

With the win, MSU improves to 9-6 on the season, including a 5-2 NSIC record. With the loss, UMary drops to 4-12, including a 2-5 conference record.

"It was a great team win tonight," head coach Matt Margenthaler said. "I thought that we really played like we practiced all week long."

The first half saw the Mavericks hold the lead for nearly 18 minutes as they never trailed by more than two points. Five minutes into the game, the Mavericks led 9-7 as four different MSU players recorded a basket. UMary managed to take the lead at 16-14 with 9:55 to go in the half after a three pointer from Tamarrein Henderson.

The Mavericks would then dominate the remainder of the half as they outscored the Marauders 26-12 in the final 9:30 of the half to take a 40-28 lead into halftime. MSU shot 11-of-17 from the field during that stretch as freshman Will Opsahl tallied nine points, while senior Justin Eagins recorded eight.

Eagins led all scorers in the first half with 11 points and five assists. Opsahl tallied nine points in the opening stanza also, with all nine of the coming from downtown. As a unit, MSU shot 16-of-29 (.552) from the field in the first half, including a 5-of-11 (.455) performance from three.

Alex Mattes led the Marauders in the first half with seven points, while Jeremiah Jones and Henderson each recorded six points. As a team, UMary shot 29.4% from the field in the first half.
 
The second half saw the Mavericks outscore the Marauders 50-21, en route to claiming the 90-49 win. As a team , MSU shot 21-of-37 (.568) from the field in the second half, while holding the Marauders to a 7-of-24 (.292) showing from the field in the second.

Ten Mavericks reached the scoring column against the Marauders, including senior Harrison Braudis who led all scorers with 17 points and six rebounds. Eagins finished with 15 points and a career-high nine assists. The trio of Opsahl, sophomore Caden Kirkman and graduate student Drew Daniel each tallied nine points.

As a team, MSU shot 37-of-66 (.561) from the field, including an 11-of-25 (.440) showing from three point range. The Mavericks also held a 43-30 advantage in rebounds, while passing out 19 assists.

Mattes led the Marauders with nine points, while Gunner Swanson tallied eight points and three steals.

As a team, UMary shot 17-of-58 (.293) from the field, including a 7-of-22 (.318) performance from downtown.

Minnesota State wraps up its road weekend on Saturday as it takes on #5 Minot State. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Minot State Dome.