Minnesota State 81 Wayne State 76

            The Minnesota State Mavericks prove to be too much as the Wayne State Wildcats fall 81-76 in NSIC South Division action Friday night in Mankato, Minn. WSC drops to 12-10 overall and 9-7 in league play while the host Mavericks improve to 15-7 overall and 8-7 in the NSIC.
            The first half was controlled by Wayne State, as the Wildcats opened an 11-3 lead over Minnesota State, forcing the home team to call a timeout with 15:22 to play in the first half.
            The WSC lead was cut to just three at 21-18 with 9:55 to play in the half. The 'Cats scored the next four points to extend the lead back to seven at 25-18.
            Wayne State led at halftime 38-32 as junior guard Nate Mohr scored 15 points on 5-6 shooting including 3-4 from downtown to lead the 'Cats. Junior forward Jordan Janssen ad six rebounds through the first 20 minutes of play.
            After an and-one play from Janssen, WSC took a seven point 51-44 lead at the 13:55 mark in the second half.
            Heading into the under-10 media timeout, the Wildcat's lead was just two with the score 58-56, 9:10 to go in the ball game. On the next possession, Minnesota State took their first lead of the game at 59-58 on a 3-pointer, but WSC answered with a Ben Dentlinger dunk to take the lead back 60-59.
            The Mavericks made another 3-pointer to move ahead 62-60. Minnesota State made three free throws to push their lead to as many as five.
            With 4:27 to play, Janssen made a jumper to tie the game at 70-70.
            Then with just under two minutes to go Janssen made another basket and WSC called a timeout trailing by two 74-72.
            Justin Eagins made a layup on a fast break to tie the game at 74-74 with 90 seconds to left in regulation.
            Wayne State was only able to score two points in the remainder of the game as Minnesota State took the win 81-76. The second half saw five lead changes and two ties as the host Mavericks outscored the Wildcats 49-38 in final 20 minutes of play.
            Wayne State shot 46.9 percent (30-64) from the floor and 42.1 percent (8-19) from downtown. Minnesota State made 50 percent (25-50) of their field goals and 52 percent (13-25) of their 3-pointers. MSU made 10 more free throws than WSC with the Mavericks making 18-23 (78.3 percent) and the Wildcats making 8-13 (61.5 percent).  
            Minnesota State narrowly outrebounded Wayne State 35-32 and held a 14-13 edge in assists. Wayne State committed five less turnovers in the game (12-7) and both teams had seven steals.
            The Wildcats had an 11-6 advantage in second chance points and a 34-14 points in the paint advantage. MSU outscored WSC 12-9 on the fast break. The Mavericks had 27 points of the bench compared to just nine from the 'Cats.
            Three Wildcats scored double figures, led by Mohr with 24. Eagins added 18 points and Alec Millender had 12.
            Janssen was one point shy of a double-double with a team-high 10 rebounds and nine points and also led the team with four assists.
            The Wildcats play again Saturday in a 5:30 p.m. contest at Concordia-St. Paul.