November 21, 2023

MANKATO, Minn. – NCAA Division II Minnesota State-Mankato scored the first 14 points of the game and never trailed in the men's basketball contest with Dakota State (S.D.) Tuesday evening at Bresnan Arena in Taylor Center.  The Mavericks won their home opener by the score of 116-62 over the Trojans.

It was an exhibition game for Dakota State, who remains at 8-3 overall record.  Minnesota State-Mankato, ranked No. 12 in NCAA Division II and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletics, stayed undefeated with an overall record of 4-0.

The Trojans return to action next Tuesday at home as they look to tie the school record of nine consecutive victories.  DSU hosts Trinity Bible (N.D.) with a 7 p.m. tip-off at DSU Fieldhouse.

(12) Minnesota State-Mankato 116, Dakota State (S.D.) 62 – FINAL

Kyreese Willingham sparked the Mavericks 9-0 opening run with back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by another 3-pointer by Justin Eagains with eighteen minutes and twenty seconds on the clock.

MSU-Mankato expanded their opening run to 14-0, capped by Malik Willingham's 3-pointer with 17:22 on the clock in the first half.

Dakota State snapped their scoring drought with a basket by Kenny Haynes with 17:11 to go in the first.

Trailing 24-4, the Trojans went on a 9-2 scoring tear capped by a layup by Mison Coilton to cut MSU-Mankato's lead to 26-13.  Minnesota State-Mankato was forced to call a timeout with 12:24 to go before halftime.

The Mavericks led 64-29 by halftime, thanks to their blazing 60.5 percent from the field (23-of-38 field goals) and 10-of-18 3-pointers.  DSU was 33.3 percent from the field in the first half (13-of-39 field goals), and 2-of-11 from the 3-point line.

MSU-Mankato outscored Dakota State 52-33 in the final twenty minutes.

Coilton led the Trojans with 11 points on his 5-of-10 field goals.  He grabbed three rebounds and stole the ball three times.  Haynes added 10 points off the bench.  Japjit Gill scored seven points.  Uzo Dibiamaka and Taylor Edwards each scored six points.

Emmanual Akpan grabbed five rebounds and recorded four points for DSU.  Ben Witt dished out two assists.  Josh Lewis and Tanner Campos each had five points. 

Minnesota State-Mankato used a balanced scoring attack with five players scoring in double digits, led by Malcolm Jones and Brady Williams with 14 points each.  Williams had a double-double with 11 rebounds.

K. Willingham had 12 points and four assists for the Mavericks.  Justin Eagins had 11 points.  Harrison Bradis registered 10 points and six rebounds.  M. Willingham had eight points and contributed six assists.

Minnesota State-Mankato shot 60 percent overall from the field (45-of-75 field goals) compared to Dakota State 35.6 percent (26-of-73 field goals).  The Mavericks hit 13 3-pointers in 29 attempts, while the Trojans made 6-of-17 3-pointers. 

MSU-M outrebounded DSU 51-27.