MANKATO — Three transfers in the starting lineup, with Brady Williams back after missing most of last year with a back injury … surly it’s going to take some time for the Minnesota State men’s basketball team to find its rhythm.
Wrong.
Minnesota State had five players score at least 11 points and defeated Sioux Falls 87-76 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men’s basketball game Friday at Bresnan Arena.
“It all started on Day 1,” senior guard Malik Willingham said. “We had a meeting, and we all talked about wanting to win. We’re holding each other accountable and we’re building chemistry. You need good chemistry to win championships.”
Malik Willingham hit a 3-pointer and scored on a drive to the basket as Minnesota State went up 15-6 after five minutes, and his three-point play sparked a 7-1 run that stopped a Sioux Falls rally for a 33-25 lead.
The Mavericks led 38-33 at halftime, making 11 of 18 shots from inside the arc with 20 points in the paint. Malik Willingham had 15 points in the first half despite sitting the final five minutes with two fouls.
The Mavericks broke the game open in the first five minutes of the second half, making 7 of 10 shots with a 9-3 rebounding advantage with four offensive boards. The lead grew to 61-53 after Justin Eagins made consecutive 3-pointers.
The Cougars pulled within nine points with four minutes to play and 81-73 with 1:17 remaining, but the Mavericks made enough free throws to win.
“We wanted to start fast, but it’s all about finishing,” Malik Willingham said. “Coach is always telling us that we need to play the full 40 minutes, and when we do that, we’re tough to beat, especially at home.”
Malik Willingham finished with 20 points, making 8 of 9 free throws. Eagins scored 17 points, including three 3-pointers, with Kyreese Willingham scoring 14 points, one more than Harrison Broadus. Dylan Peeters had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“As long as the ball doesn’t stick, everyone is going to get their touches,” Mavericks coach Matt Margenthaler said. “We have guys on our bench that could start on most of the teams in our league, and you saw that tonight.”
The Mavericks (7-0, 1-0 in Northern Sun) play at Bresnan Arena again on Saturday, taking on Southwest Minnesota State at 3:30 p.m.
Follow Chad Courrier on Twitter @ChadCourrier.