MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opened the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament with a dominant 83-52 win over Minnesota Crookston.

With the win, MSU improves to 23-6 on the season, while Minnesota Crookston ends its season with a 7-20 record.

The first half saw senior Zach Monaghan provide the early spark as he tallied MSU's first 12 points of the game as he went 4-of-4 from behind the arc. MSU led by eight at 24-16 with 7:21 to go in the half before going on a 19-4 run to end the half with a 43-20 lead.

Monaghan led all scorers in the first half with 15 points. As a unit, MSU shot 59.3% from the field as it connected on 16-of-27 shots from the field. The Mavericks also connected on 7-of-15 (.500) attempts from three point land. MSU also outrebounded UMC 21-10.

Tyler West led the Golden Eagles with seven first-half points. As a team, Minnesota Crookston shot just 28% from the field in the first session.

The Maverick offense would not let up in the second half as it maintained at least a 25-point lead throughout the remainder of the game, en route to an 83-52 win. MSU's win marks the third straight victory over Minnesota Crookston in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.

Senior Zach Romashko dropped in eight points in the game becoming the 39th member of the 1,000 point club at Minnesota State. In doing so, Romashko became the third Maverick to reach the 1,000 point club this season joining teammates Monaghan and senior Assem Marei. This is the first time in program history three players have reached 1,000 points in a season.

Monaghan led the Maverick offense with 23 points, while senior Connor Miller tallied 14 points, five assists and four rebounds. Marei added 10 points and seven rebounds, while junior Lucas Brown dropped in nine points off the bench.

As a team, MSU shot 57.9% from the field, including a 10-of-23 (.435) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also hauled in 41 rebounds and passed out 12 assists.

West led the Golden Eagles with 12 points, while Tim Lubke tallied 11 points.

With its win, MSU advances to the second round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament where it will take on St. Cloud State at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Sunday. The opening tip is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.


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