Mankato, Minn. – The fourth-ranked Minnesota State men’s basketball team closed out a four-game homestand with a 93-72 victory over Minnesota State University, Moorhead Saturday night in front of 1,548 fans in the Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University. The Mavericks used a 31-12 run to close out the final 10 and half minutes.
“Obviously we didn’t start tonight like I would have liked,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler. “We turned a five-point halftime lead into a 19 point win and you have to be happy about that. Now we have to focus for a big weekend next weekend.”
Senior center Travis Nelson led Minnesota State with 21 points in the victory, connecting on 8-of-15 shots including 8-of-10 from the line. Nelson also hauled in seven rebounds.
The Mavericks rallied for the victory as they trailed 22-12 with 12 minutes and 36 seconds remaining in the first half. Minnesota State then embarked on a 21-6 run over the next 6:30 to open a 33-28 advantage. The run features three highlight real dunks for the home team.
The rest of the first half was played even as MSU took a 42-37 lead into the break.
The Dragons opened the second half with a 13-7 run to take a 50-49 lead at the 16:57 mark. After trading baskets, senior guard Jesse Clark converted a traditional three-point play to give MSU a 54-52 lead with 15:37 remaining.
With the score tied at 61 with 10:33 remaining, MSU used a 14-4 run to open a 75-65 lead and never looked back. The run was sparked by a Clark layup in transition and a dunk by junior guard Jefferson Mason before senior Jermain Davis connected on a four-point play after being fouled when hitting a three-pointer.
Mason added 18 points for the Mavericks, while passing out four assists and collecting five steals. Clark added 14 points and six helpers. Junior Cameron Hodges and Davis each added 12 points in the victory, with Hodges adding a game-high nine rebounds.
Minnesota State finished the night shooting 49.3 percent from the floor, including a scorching 59.4 percent in the second half. The Mavericks forced a season-high 27 Dragon turnovers, turning those in to 34 points. Fifty-eight of MSU’s 92 points came in the paint.
Minnesota State (21-1, 14-1 NSIC) hits the road Friday night as it travels to Concordia University Friday night for an 8 pm tip against the Golden Bears.