MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State (7-6, 1-4 NSIC) fell to Augustana (6-4, 4-1 NSIC) 76-68 at Bresnan Arena on Saturday. The game saw both teams exchanging leads six times, with Augustana pulling away in the second half behind 18 successful free throws.

Minnesota State opened the first half with a strong defensive effort, as sophomore Will Opsahl immediately secured a steal. Junior Caden Kirkman contributed early with a layup and jumper to keep the home team competitive in the opening minutes. Opsahl and junior Traijan Sain connected on a pair of 3-pointers to maintain momentum, while Kirkman and Malcolm Jones secured key defensive rebounds.

Despite the home team's efforts, Augustana maintained a narrow lead through effective shooting inside the paint. Down the stretch, Opsahl completed a fast-break three-pointer at 1:16 to tie the game at 31. However, late turnovers allowed the visitors to regain the lead. The half closed with the visitors leading 35-31.

Minnesota State and Augustana exchanged leads multiple times in the first half, with both sides maintaining a close contest. The Mavericks capitalized on 3-point opportunities, hitting six from beyond the arc, which helped them keep pace despite shooting 35 percent overall. Augustana countered by dominating the paint with 16 points and leveraging a strong defensive presence, collecting 20 rebounds to the Mavericks' 18. At the end of the half, Augustana held a narrow 35-31 lead.

The second half started with Minnesota State trailing and quickly saw a shift in momentum as Kirkman sparked a comeback with a series of successful jump shots, helping to tie the game at 41. A tight contest ensued, with Kirkman and Sain contributing significant points in the paint, keeping the Mavericks within striking distance.

Despite the home team's efforts, Augustana pulled ahead with key free throws and a fast-break dunk by Bennett Fried, widening their lead. Minnesota State managed to keep the pressure with freshman Colton Benson hitting a late 3-pointer, but Augustana maintained their edge through consistent scoring from the line. The half concluded with Augustana ahead 76–68, as the Mavericks fell short despite a strong offensive showing in the paint.

The Mavericks outscored Augustana 20 to 12 in the paint during the second half, showcasing their inside presence. Despite this, the visitors capitalized on free throws, converting 14 of 18 attempts, which contributed significantly to their lead. Both teams committed five turnovers each, but Augustana finished the half with a four-point edge, leading 41-37 by the end.

Kirkman led Minnesota State with 18 points, hitting 8 of 13 from the field, and collected eight rebounds. Sain contributed 16 points and dished out four assists, shooting 7 of 13 overall. Opsahl added 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and grabbed four rebounds. Jones recorded three blocks and pulled down seven rebounds.

Tameron Ferguson led the charge for Augustana with 20 points on 9 of 15 shooting and contributed seven rebounds and five steals. Caden Hinker was a key player, tallying 24 points, making 8 of 10 free throws, and securing a double-double with 10 rebounds. Sam Rensch added nine points and collected five boards while contributing one assist. These players were instrumental in their performance, showcasing their skill on the court.

In their next game, the Mavericks will travel to face Southwest Minnesota State on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minn.