MOORHEAD, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team was tripped up by MSU Moorhead on the road Saturday afternoon as the Dragons defeated the Mavericks 81-55.

With the loss, the Mavericks now own a 19-11 overall record, including a 15-7 NSIC record. With the win, the Dragons own a 20-8 record, including a 15-7 conference record.

With its 15-7 NSIC record, Minnesota State finished in a four-way tie for third place in the NSIC standings along with Minnesota Duluth, MSU Moorhead and St. Cloud State. After the tiebreakers, the Mavericks received the #4 seed and a first-round bye for the NSIC Tournament.

The Mavericks will take on the winner of the game between St. Cloud State and Bemidji State in the second round of the NSIC Tournament on Sunday, March 2, at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. S.D. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

The early going of the first half saw the Dragons jump out to a quick 9-2 lead. The Mavericks responded with a 10-3 run of their own to tie the score at 12-12 with 13:59 to go in the first half. Four different Mavericks reached the scoring column during that stretch, including seniors Kyreese Willingham and Justin Eagins who each recorded a three pointer.

Leading by one at 18-17 with 11:52 left in the half, the Dragons were able to close out the first half outscoring the Mavericks 24-10 to take a 42-27 lead into the locker room. The Dragons made 10-of-19 shots during the final 11:52 of the half, while the Mavericks shot 2-of-12 from the field.

Willingham led the Mavericks in the first half with 12 points and two rebounds. As a team, the Mavericks shot 8-of-25 (.320) from the field in the first half. They also went 9-of-11 (.818) from the free throw line.

Carson Johnson led the Dragons in the first half with 15 points, while Jacob Jennissen added 13 points and eight rebounds. As a team, the Dragons shot 17-of-33 (.515) from the field and held a 23-11 advantage in rebounds.

Four minutes into the second half the Dragons held a 16-point lead at 47-31. The Mavericks were able to cut into the Dragons' lead as they pulled within 11 of MSU Moorhead at 56-45 with 8:56 to go in the game. Minnesota State's 14-9 run saw Willingham record seven points, while senior Harrison Braudis tallied five points.

This was as close as the Mavericks would get as the Dragons outscored the Mavericks 25-10 in the final 8:29 of the half to lock down the 81-55 win.

Willingham led all scorers in the game with 28 points as he shot 10-of-22 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line. Braudis finished with nine points also, while junior David Harmon recorded seven points.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 19-of-52 (.365) from the field and 13-of-16 (.813) from the free throw line.

Jennissen led the Dragons with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Johnson added 20 points as well.

As a unit, MSU Moorhead shot 30-of-59 (.508) from the field, to go with a 14-of-17 (.824) showing from the line. The Dragons also outrebounded the Mavericks 44-19.