Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
DENVER — It sounds simple, but when the Minnesota State men's basketball team is shooting ball well, it's tough to beat. On Saturday, the Mavericks shot 53.8 percent, making 11 of 23 from 3-point range.
"We're hard to guard when we're knocking down 3s," Minnesota State coach Matt Margenthaler said. "We stepped up today and shot with confidence. We played good team basketball, made the extra pass and found the open guy."
Minnesota State, making its first appearance at the NCAA II tournament since 1976, defeated Fort Lewis College 86-78 in the first round of the NCAA II North Central Region tournament.
The win was the 24th of the season, which set the school record.
"I thought we stayed focused the whole game, the most focused we've been all season," Margenthaler said. "We kept our mouths shut and played very well."
"We've had a great season to have the most wins in the history of Minnesota State is awfully special."
The Mavericks hit four long jumpers in the first four minutes, taking a 10-7 lead on Andy Moeller's 3-pointer form the wing. Gameli Ahelegbe came off the bench with a 3-pointer and wing jumper to keep the Mavericks up 20-15 at the 10-minute mark.
Fort Lewis tied the game at 22, then the Mavericks responded with six straight points, including two baskets from Jamel Staten off the baseline.
Luke Anderson hit consecutive 3-pointers as Minnesota State opened a 36-27 lead, and the Mavericks stayed up 40-33 at halftime. Anderson had 14 points at the break, making 4 of 5 from 3-point range, and Staten scored 10 as Minnesota State shot 56.7 percent.
"Tony and G were huge off the bench," Margenthaler said. "They played under control, they did the little things we need to be successful."
Anderson hit his fifth 3-pointer, and Staten nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key as Minnesota State took its biggest lead at 48-35 just two minutes into the second half.
Fort Lewis nailed a couple of 3-pointers to highlight a 13-2 run that tied the game at 52. Tony Thomason got hot, hitting two 3-pointers and a layup off an assist from Staten, and the Mavericks were back on top 63-57 with 10 minutes to go.
The Mavericks had an eight-minute stretch in which they outscored Fort Lewis 22-9. The Skyrockets made a run late, but the Mavericks hit 10 free throws in the final six minutes.
Anderson finished with 24 points, making 6 of 8 from 3-point range. It equals the most points for a Minnesota State player in a national tournament. Staten had 22 points and eight rebounds. Moeller and Ahelegbe each scored 11, and Moeller supplied seven assists and five steals.
Minnesota State shot 53.8 percent for the game, making 11 of 23 from 3-point range. Fort Lewis, known for its long-range shooters, made just 11 of 29.
Minnesota State (24-7) take on top-seeded Metropolitan State, the host school, at 8:30 p.m. today. The Roadrunners downed Northern State 83-60 in the quarterfinals.
"If we don't take care of the basketball, we'll be in trouble," Margenthaler said. "We have to play smart, that's one of the most impressive Division II basketball teams I've seen, and we're on their home court.
