#3 Minnesota State 68 Wayne State 52

            NCAA Division II third-ranked Minnesota State used a 13-0 run midway through the second half to break open a close game as the unbeaten Mavericks pulled away for a 68-52 win at Wayne State Friday evening in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played at Rice Auditorium.  The Mavericks are now 17-0 overall and 10-0 in the NSIC while Wayne State slips to 8-9 overall and 5-5 in league play.

            Wayne State battled with the third-ranked Mavericks all game until Minnesota State's run midway through the second half put the game out of reach.  Wildcat center Brian Metz put in a layup to give the Wildcats an early 10-9 lead at the 13:40 mark of the first half.  Minnesota State then score the next nine points over a span of 3:08 to take an 18-10 lead following a Jesse Clark free throw.  WSC came back and eventually tied the score at 23-23 on a jumper by Amry Shelby.  Minnesota State ended the half with a one point lead at 30-29.

            Minnesota State opened the second half scoring the first eight points to take a 38-29 lead with 16:25 left in the game.  The Wildcats then made their final run at the Mavericks as WSC scored nine of the next 10 points in a 3:47 span to cut the Maverick lead to one at 39-38 following a three pointer by Elijah Miller.  But Minnesota State responded with a 13-0 run over the next 4:22 to take a 52-38 lead and put the game away.  WSC got as close as nine points with 3:18 to play on a three pointer by Shelby, but the Mavericks closed out the Wildcats and posted a 68-52 win.

            Freshman guard Amry Shelby led Wayne State and all scorers in the game with 17 points.  Sophomore reserve guard Elijah Miller also reached double digits with 11.  WSC shot 20 of 49 from the field in the game for 40.8 percent.  The 'Cats were 5 of 15 from the three point line and 7 of 12 at the charity stripe.

            For Minnesota State, 6-11 senior center Travis Nelson poured in 14 points followed by Marcus Hill with 11.  The Mavericks made 27 of 51 shots from the field for 52.9 percent.  MSU was 3 of 13 from the three point line and 11 of 16 from the free throw stripe.

            WSC held a slight 30-28 advantage in rebounding over Minnesota State as Spiker grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Wildcats while Jefferson Mason hauled in seven caroms to lead the Mavericks.  Wayne State had 25 turnovers in the game compared to just 13 for Minnesota State.

            Wayne State will be at home again on Saturday night as the Wildcats entertain defending NSIC regular season champion Southwest Minnesota State in a 6:00 p.m. contest at Rice Auditorium.