Friday, January 23, 2009
#15 Minnesota State 87 Wayne State 71
15th-ranked Minnesota State used an 18-2 run late in the first half to take control of the game as the Mavericks topped Wayne State 87-71 in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played in Mankato, Minnesota Friday evening. The host Mavericks improved to 16-4 overall and 7-3 in league play while Wayne State slipped to 8-9 overall and 4-6 in the NSIC.
After falling behind early 10-4, Wayne State bounced back and used a 17-6 run to take a 21-16 lead with 10:23 to play in the first half following a three pointer by Wildcat senior guard David Walters. However, Minnesota State responded with a 18-2 run over the next eight minutes to take a 34-23 advantage with 2:30 left in the first half. The Mavericks ended the first half with a 39-30 lead. In the second half, Minnesota State built a 50-37 lead with 15:21 left, but WSC made one more run at the Mavericks cutting the lead to six at 61-55 with 9:30 remaining. Minnesota State then slowly pulled away and went on to the 87-71 win.
Minnesota State had four players in double figures, led by 6-11 junior center Travis Nelson with 20 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Jake Morrow added 18 points followed by Jesse Clark and Mitch Gosson with 13 points apiece. The Mavericks shot 51 percent from the field, making 31 of 61 shots, including 6 of 14 from the three point line. MSU was 19 of 28 at the free throw stripe.
For Wayne State, junior center Brian Metz notched his third double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds on 9 of 14 shooting from the field. Senior forward Jonathon Thomas and senior guard David Walters each added 17 points for the Wildcats, who shot 27 of 56 from the field for 48 percent. Wayne State was 6 of 15 from the three point line and 11 of 16 at the charity stripe.
Minnesota State held a slight 34-32 edge in rebounding over Wayne State with Metz leading all rebounders with 11 for the Wildcats while Nelson had eight to lead Minnesota State. WSC had 14 turnovers in the game to just seven for the Mavericks.
Wayne State will be in action again Saturday evening as the Wildcats visit Southwest Minnesota State for a Northern Sun Conference contest starting at 8:00 p.m.
