Minnesota State 86 Wayne State 58
Minnesota State's Charlie Brown poured in a game-high 25 points to lead the host Mavericks in a 86-58 triumph over Wayne State College Friday evening in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played at the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minnesota. MSU is now 4-2 and 1-0 in the NSIC while WSC drops to 4-3 and 1-1 in league play.
The game was close early until the host Mavericks took control with a scoring surge at the end of the first half.
WSC held a 14-12 lead following a Tony Bonner basket at the 11:39 mark. The 'Cats were still within four at 26-22 after a Trevin Joseph dunk with 7:14 to play in the half.
With Minnesota State leading 31-24, the Maverick went on a 10-0 run late in the first half and took a commanding 43-28 lead into the locker room at intermission.
The Wildcats made the first two baskets of the second half to close within 11 at 43-32, but the Mavericks scored the next eight points for a 51-32 lead and Minnesota State cruised in the second half for the 86-58 win.
Jordan Cornelius and Tony Bonner led Wayne State with nine points each. Junior
Kendall Jacks, Wayne State's leading scorer at 17.5 points per game, was held to four points in the contest and saw a streak of 28 straight games in double figures come to an end.
Wayne State shot just 39.7 percent from the field on 25 of 63 and was just 1 for 12 behind the arc. The 'Cats were 7 of 11 at the charity stripe.
Charlie Brown produced a game-high 25 points for Minnesota State followed by Kevin Krieger (14) and Cameron Kirksey (13).
The Mavericks made 31 of 59 shots for 52.5 percent including 12 of 18 from 3-point range. MSU was 12 for 18 at the free throw line.
Minnesota State held a 40-31 advantage in rebounding over WSC as Ben Dentlinger hauled in five boards for WSC.
Wayne State returns to Northern Sun Conference play next weekend with road trips to Minnesota State Friday at 8 p.m. and Concordia-St. Paul Saturday at 6 p.m.
