MOORHEAD, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men’s basketball team – ranked eighth in the nation – pushed its record to 12-0 Sunday evening as it downed MSU Moorhead, 105-68, in Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead.

The 105 points scored by the Mavericks marked the fourth time this season that Minnesota State has scored 100 or more points in a game this season. 

After the game was tied a five with 17 minutes and 53 seconds remaining in the first half, MSU used a 13-1 run to open the game up.  Junior guard Joe Drapcho started the run with a jumper from the top of the key and it continued when senior wing Jefferson Masoncollected a steal and threw down a two-handed dunk in the open court, giving MSU a 9-5 lead and forcing the Dragons into a timeout.

Drapcho then converted a traditional three-point play to push the run to 7-0.  The Mavericks defensive pressure continued to wreak havoc as senior guard Jesse Clark and Mason each scored on layups to open a 16-5 lead for Minnesota State.

Senior center Travis Nelson kept the scoring parade alive with 16-foot jumper from the left side before Dennis Williamson stopped the run by connecting on the back end of a pair of free throws. 

After MSU Moorhead cut the lead to 20-14 with 12:43 remaining, MSU went on quick 4-0 scoring spurt to push a 10-point lead.  Nelson threw down a two-handed dunk before senior Jermain Davis knocked down a 16-footer from the right wing forcing another MSUM timeout.

The run continued as it extended to 19-6 and was fueled by turnovers and transition points.  The prettiest points in the run came when Davis stole the ball at midcourt and drove home a tomahawk dunk.

The Mavericks kept the intensity up throughout the remainder of the first half as MSU opened a 54-30 halftime edge.  It marked the ninth time this season that Minnesota State has scored at least 50 points in a half and the third time they have scored 50 or more in the first half.

“I am very excited with how we started tonight’s game,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “Defensively, that was about as good as we have played over 20 minutes this season to start the game.  We will still have areas we need to improve on and we got to get better. “

Davis led all scorers with 15 points in the first half on 5-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-4 from downtown.  In all, MSU had three players in double-digits in the opening half as Drapcho had 11 and Mason had 10.

The second half played much like the first with MSU pushing its largest lead at the 4:24 mark when the Maverick led, 99-59, a difference of 40 points.

Davis led all scorers with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 rom long range, while Nelson had 16 points.  Mason added 16 points and Drapcho finished with 11.  Junior guard Marcus Hill added 11.

Nelson led all Mavericks in rebounds with six, while Davis passed out a season-high seven helpers.

As a team, Minnesota State finished with 20 assists and forced the Dragons into 23 turnovers.  The Mavericks scored 40 points off turnovers and gathered 13 steals in the game, including three each by Mason and junior guard Cameron Hodges.

The battle of the board went to Minnesota State as it outrebounded MSUM, 37-35.

The 12-0 record ties the school record for wins to open a season, a feat it shares with the 1931-32 and 2004-05 teams.  Minnesota State now stands four wins shy of tying the school record for the longest winning streak in a season, which is 16, by the 2006-07 squad.

“I’m very proud with our start of the season,” said Margenthaler. “But there is still a lot of basketball left this year.  We can’t get comfortable or complacent as next weekend will be another big road test.”

Minnesota State (12-0, 5-0 NSIC) travels to Upper Iowa Friday for an 8 p.m., tip against the Peacocks.

To view the game stats, click HERE