Crookston, Minn. ---  The eighth-ranked Minnesota State men’s basketball team overcame a rusty first-half to down Minnesota, Crookston, 83-62, Saturday evening in Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston.

The Mavericks started the game in a 6-1 hole before using a 12-2 run to gain a 13-8 advantage with 15:23 remaining.  The run was keyed by a pair of traditional three-point plays by senior center Travis Nelson and senior wing Jefferson Mason.   From that point on, Minnesota State never trailed and the score was only tied once as Minnesota State opened a 39-35 halftime edge. 

The second half was a different story as Minnesota State used a 15-2 run to open the half and put the game out of reach.  The run was keyed by three dunks – two of them off turnovers – and capped when junior guard Joe Drapcho drilled a three-pointer from the right wing.

“I thought our layoff showed in the first half,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “Once we started playing defense, it resulted into points, and that was the difference in the second half. “

Nelson led Minnesota State with 18 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the floor to go with a team-high nine rebounds.  Mason and Jermain Davis each scored 16 points, while junior Marcus Hill added 11. 

The Mavericks shot 54.1 percent for the game, including a scorching 58.1 percent in the second half.  Minnesota State struggled at the free throw line, connecting on just 13-of-26 chances, however the 26 trips to the charity stripe was more than five times as many as the Golden Eagles, who shot just 2-of-5 from the line.

The Mavericks outrebounded UMC, 37-36 and forced the Golden Eagles into 19 turnovers, scoring 20 points off the miscues.  Minnesota State scored 40 points in the paint and had 22 points from the bench.

Minnesota State (11-0, 4-0 NSIC) concludes the second-leg of this four game roadtrip Sunday afternoon as it travels to MSU Moorhead for a 6 p.m. game.

Notes:  Minnesota State used its third different line-up this season, going with senior guard Jesse Clark, senior guard Jermain Davis, senior center Travis Nelson, junior guard Joe Drapcho and senior wing Jefferson Mason….The game represented Mason’s first start at Minnesota State.

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