Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State men’s basketball team connected on 11 three pointers and shot a scorching 55.9 percent as it downed Bemidji State, 108-66, Friday night in front of 1,830 fans in the Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University.

The 42-point margin of victory marked the largest by Minnesota State as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  The 108 points marked the fifth time that Minnesota State has scored 100 points or more this season, and it also matched the season-high for points scored.  Every Maverick played and scored in the victory.

After falling behind 2-0 to start the game, MSU rattled off 10 consecutive points – including five in a row by senior center Travis Nelson – to open an eight-point lead and never look back.

The Mavericks used a hot hand in the first half, connecting on 56.3 percent (18-of-32) of its shots in the opening 20 minutes, including 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) shots from outside the three-point line.

Junior wing Jefferson Mason led the Mavericks in the opening half, scoring 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including both of his three-point attempts.  Nelson added 11 points and nine rebounds as Minnesota State raced to a 54-31.

“I really liked our balance in the first half,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “We need to carry our momentum from this win tonight into tomorrow’s nights contest against Minnesota Duluth.”

The second half played much like the first as the Maverick’s lead was never in jeopardy.

Nelson finished the night with 17 points of 6-of-7 shooting to go with his nine boards.  Mason and senior guard Jermain Davis each added 14 while junior guard Marcus Hill had 14 points and six helpers.  Senior point guard Jesse Clark scored 11 points and passed out five helpers.

The Mavericks connected on 55.9 percent from the floor and 50 percent of its three-point attempts.  Minnesota State also owned the battle of the boards, 42-30, including 14-10 on the offensive end.  Minnesota State forced 19 Beaver turnovers, turning them into 24 points.  The Mavericks also had a 19-4 edge on fast break points.

Minnesota State (18-1, 11-1 NSIC) hosts Minnesota Duluth Saturday evening at 8 p.m.

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