SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- It came down to the final seconds Saturday evening in Elmen Center, but it was #17 Minnesota State that would come out on top as it downed Augustana 86-81.

With the win, MSU improves to 10-2 on the season, including a mark of 4-1 in NSIC play. With the loss, Augustana drops to 6-5, with a 3-2 mark in league action. The Mavericks have now won three of their last four games at Augustana.

A total of five Mavericks scored at least 10 points on the day, including senior Gage Wooten, who posted a team-high 21 points while shooting 7-of-8 from the field. The duo of senior Tanner Adler and junior Zach Monaghan each added 16 points, with Monaghan posting nine helpers and five steals. Adler finished the day shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.

Senior Connor O'Brien tallied 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while junior Assem Marei notched 10 points and three assists.

As a unit, the Mavericks connected on 11-of-24 (.458) shots from downtown, marking the fourth time this season MSU has dropped in at least 10 three point field goals in a game this season. Overall, the Mavericks shot 47.5% (29-of-61) from the field, brought down 40 rebounds and passed out 17 assists.

MSU, which led by as many as 12 points in the second half, found itself trailing Augustana 71-70 with 6:27 left in the game. MSU quickly regained the lead after a pair of baskets from Wooten and Monaghan and led 75-73 with 5:23 remaining.

Augustana managed to get within one point at 82-81 with 58 seconds left but it could not overtake MSU as the Mavericks tallied the final four points of the game to claim the 86-81 win.

The first half saw the Mavericks connect on 8-of-18 (.444) shots from behind the arc, to go along with an overall shooting performance of 16-of-37 (.432) from the field.

The first session saw a total of 12 lead changes as neither team led by more than six. MSU found itself trailing 38-36 with 3:21 to go in the first half, but it rung off eight straight points to head into the locker room with the 44-38 lead.

Wooten finished the opening frame with a team-high 13 points, while shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field. Adler and Monaghan added nine points each, with Monaghan dishing out seven assists as well.  

Daniel Jensen and Austin Saugstad led the Augustana offense with 26 points each.

The Mavericks begin a three-game homestand Saturday, Dec. 21, as they take on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. The opening tip is set for 4 p.m.
 
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