MANKATO, Minn. --- A late push in the first half, followed by a dominant second half proved to be the difference Sunday evening in Taylor Center as #2 Minnesota State bested #11 MSU Moorhead 78-55.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 31-2, while the Dragons finish their season with a 25-6 record. The Mavericks' 31 wins are the most in a season in team history. This will also be Minnesota State's fifth trip to the "Sweet 16" under head coach Matt Margenthaler.

The early going of the first half remained close as the Mavericks and Dragons were tied at 15-15 with 10:13 to go in the half. Malik Willingham paced the Mavericks in the first 10 minutes with six points, while Dane Zimmer led the Dragons with nine points.

Three minutes later the game was still tied at 22-22, but then the Mavericks put together a 10-0 run over the next 2:56 to go up 32-22. Malik Willingham scored six of the Mavericks' points during that stretch. The Mavericks would carry their double-digit lead into the locker room as they led 39-28 at halftime.

Malik Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 20 points as he connected on 4-of-6 attempts from three point range. Kyreese Willingham tallied nine points in the first half also, as the Mavericks hot 48.5% from the field.

Dane Zimmer led the Dragon offense in the first half with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while JaMir Price tallied nine points. As a team, the Dragons shot 28.9% from the field.

The Mavericks kept their momentum going early in the second half as the Mavericks outscored the Dragons 11-4 in the first five minutes to increase their lead to 50-32. The Dragons managed to get back within 13 points of the Mavericks a few minutes later, but a 9-0 run by the Mavericks put Minnesota State up by 22 at 61-39 with 8:53 remaining.

The Mavericks would lead by at least 18 points the rest of the way as they went on to claim the 78-55 win.

Malik Willingham finished his night with 30 points, marking the fifth time in his career that he has reached the 30-point plateau. Kyreese Willingham notched his sixth career double-double as he tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds. Dylan Peeters added 10 points also.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 52.6% from the field, including a 14-of-24 (.583) showing in the second half. The Mavericks also blocked 10 shots and passed out 11 assists.

Price led the Dragons with 18 points, while Zimmer finished with a double-double as he notched 13 points and 12 rebounds. Logan Kinsey finished with 12 points as well.

As a team, MSU Moorhead shot 31.9% from the field. The Dragons also hauled in 43 rebounds.

Minnesota State continues its season on Tuesday as it takes on Northwest Missouri State in the NCAA Central Region Championship. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Taylor Center.