By Tom Froemming
January 25, 2005
"The No. 3-ranked MSU men's basketball team suffered its second loss of the season Thursday night at the hands of the University of North Dakota. More than 3,500 fans witnessed the 75-72 UND victory in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Senior forward Jamel Staten became the 30th player to score 1,000 career points at MSU. Staten scored 25 points in the game, going nine of 27 from the floor and grabbed 12 rebounds. Senior guard Andy Moeller was the only other Maverick who scored in the double-digits with 12 points. Junior forward Luke Anderson was held to seven points despite averaging 16.6 points per contest this season.
Junior center Chris Whitfield became the most prolific shot blocker in school history and is just four rejections shy of the single-season record of 60. Tracy Ballard was the previous record holder with 114 blocks from 1982 to 1984 and also holds the single season record.
"I credit [my shot-blocking ability] to being really explosive on my jump and also being able to anticipate shots," Whitfield said.
The Mavs were unable to stop UND senior center Todd Rypkema or junior forward Evan Lindahl who stand 6-11 and 6-10, respectively. UND's twin towers combined to score 50 points. MSU led at the half 38-33, but shot just 30 percent from the floor in the second half and 35.5 percent in the game. The Mavericks had four chances to tie the game or take the lead late in the game including a last-second three pointer by Staten.
"[We had] four great opportunities at the end of the game to win it, and just could not make that basket," MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler said.
Saturday night MSU traveled to Sioux Falls, S.D., to take on Augustana, the only NCC team with a losing record. The Mavs came out of the gate sluggish, allowing Augustana to take a 25-15 lead in the first 10:06. Margenthaler took a timeout and the Mavericks responded, going on a 23-0 run which was started and capped off by Anderson three-pointers. Staten accounted for 11 points during the run that put MSU up 38-25 with 5:10 to play in the first half. The first half ended with MSU on top 49-40.
The Maverick starters did not come out in the second half sluggish, going on a 17-8 run in the first 5:30. MSU held its lead and won 93-80. The victory was the Mavericks' 18th of the season, matching the team's win total from a season ago. MSU has seven games remaining.
"This year's team has the best chemistry since I've been here," Margenthaler said.
Whitfield added to his blocked shots total altering four AU shots and collected four steals. MSU takes on conference foe South Dakota 8 p.m. Saturday in the Taylor Center.
Tom Froemming is the Reporter Sports Editor
