Mankato, Minn. -- Minnesota State, the defending National Champions, used a large run late in the first half to pull away from Minnesota Crookston and defend their home floor with a 90-63 win.
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 3-13 (2-8 NSIC).
 
The Mavs would score the first six points, but Brayden Carlson (Fr., C, Woodbury, Minn.), who made his first career start in the game, would score four straight, cutting the lead to 6-4.
 
Two possessions later, Micah Garrett (Jr., G, Portland, Ore.) would give the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game with a three-point make.
 
Christian Bowen-Webb (Jr., G, Atchison, Kan.), who would finish with a career-high 12 points, would bury the first of his four makes from deep, tying the game at 16.
 
Garrett would drill another jumper from the short corner, cutting the Maverick lead to 28-24, but MSU would go on a 17-0 run, which would eventually be halted by free throws from Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa).
 
MSU would lead by 20 after the first 20.
 
The Mavericks would score the first seven points of the half, but the Golden Eagles would answer with five straight of their own, including a layup from Jordan Mitchell (R-Sr., F, Columbus, Ohio).
 
The Mavericks would only outscore the Golden Eagles by seven in the second half, but it was more than enough for the win.
 
Grant led the way with 17 points and four assists, while Garrett continues to play well, finishing with 13 points. Bowen-Webb and Mitchell poured in 12 and seven, respectively. GD Deng (Jr., G, Des Moines, Iowa) finished with a career best three points.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston is back on the road next weekend as they head to the State Capital for a 5:30 P.M. tip-off on Friday night with Concordia-St. Paul.