#13 Minnesota State 82 Wayne State 62

            #13 Minnesota State used a 17-2 run in the first five minutes of the second half to break open a close game as the Mavericks pulled away for an 82-62 Northern Sun Conference men's basketball win over Wayne State in Mankato, Minnesota at the Taylor Center.  MSU is now 7-1 and 2-0 in league play with WSC dropping to 2-6 and 0-3 in the NSIC.
            Wayne State controlled a good share of the first half, holding the lead for 15 minutes.  The Wildcats took a pair of nine point leads early in the first half at 16-7 on a Jordan Holdsworth 3-pointer and at 18-9 on a layup by freshman Austin Esters with 11:05 to play in the first half.
            The Wildcats still led by six at 25-19 when Minnesota State started to make their run at WSC.  MSU held WSC without a basket for just over four minutes and used a Mike Busack layup to take a 26-25 lead with 3:55 to go in the half.
            The two teams traded baskets and Wayne State took their final lead of the first half at 29-28 on a Austin Esters layup with 2:06 remaining before the Mavericks finished the half with a 35-32 lead.
            Minnesota State bolted out to a quick start in the second half to put the game out of reach, scoring 17 of the first 19 points in the opening five minutes of the second half to take a commanding 52-34 lead. 
            The Mavericks pushed the lead to 26 several times while WSC got as close as 16 with 3:49 to play before the final score ended with Minnesota State winning 82-62.
            Wayne State had three players reach double figures, led by senior center Patrick Kurth with 12 points.  Freshman backup guard Austin Esters had a season-high 11 points with junior reserve forward Jordan Holdsworth scoring 10.
            The Wildcats made 27 of 64 shots for 42.2 percent.  WSC was 5 of 17 beyond the arc and 3 for 4 at the foul line.
            Mike Busack had a game-high 20 points for Minnesota State followed by Assem Marei and Zach Monaghan with 19 and 14 respectively.
            Minnesota State shot 52.6 percent from the field on 30 of 57.  The Mavericks made 7 of 18 3-pointers and 15 for 19 at the foul line.
            Wayne State was out-rebounded by Minnesota State 37-29 as Kurth and Jordan Cornelius each hauled in six boards for the Wildcats while Busack grabbed seven rebounds for the Mavericks.
            Trae VandeBerg led WSC in assists with three while Gary Ross had two of Wayne State's six steals.
            Wayne State will be at home next weekend, hosting Minnesota Crookston Friday evening at 8 p.m. and Bemidji State Saturday in a 6 p.m. contest at Rice Auditorium.