The contest featured 14 lead changes, 12 of which came in the second half. The final five minutes, which alone featured six lead changes, saw the final lead change of the game when senior guard
Cameron Hodges converted a hauled in an offensive rebound and converted a lay-up to give MSU the final lead change at 62-61.
“This was a great team win for us,” said head coach
Matt Margenthaler. “Our starters gave us great energy to set the tone early in the game and we had big contributions from everyone who played tonight. It’s great to see all ten players who played finish in the scoring column.”
The Mavericks opened the game by racing to an 11-4 lead after the first seven minutes and 47 seconds. Michigan Tech answered over the next 5:15 to tie the game at 13 before briefly taking a 15-13 advantage after a jumper by Mike Hojnacki.
Minnesota State used a 9-2 run to open a 22-17 run with 2:07 remaining in the half. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch as Minnesota State took a 25-20 advantage into the break.
In all, ten Mavericks saw action in the first half, nine of which reached the scoring column, led by senior
Jefferson Mason's nine points on4-of-6 shooting. The Mavericks hit just 29.6 percent of their shots in the first half, while Michigan Tech was equally tepid from the floor, hitting on 35 percent of its opportunities.
The Mavericks opened a 43-36 lead with 12:35 remaining in the game when senior
Joe Drapcho drilled a 16-footer from the wing. Michigan Tech quickly answered however as Hojnacki drilled three straight three’s to turn the seven-point deficit into a two-point advantage, forcing Minnesota State to call a timeout.
After Drapcho converted a put back to tie the game at 50, he came down and drilled a three from the right baseline to give MSU a 51-48 lead with 6:27 remaining in the contest.
Both teams would trade baskets down the stretch before Hodges put MSU ahead for good.
The Mavericks finished the game shooting 40.7 percent from the floor, including 51.9 percent in the second half.
Senior guard
Marcus Hill – who was limited with just two points in the first half – scored 12 in the second to lead all Mavericks with 14 points. Hill also passed out a team-high seven helpers in the win.
Mason added 11 points and seven rebounds while Hodges finished with eight points and seven rebounds. Drapcho came off the bench to score nine points for Minnesota State.
The Mavericks won the battle of the boards, 35-27, including 11-3 on the offensive end.
Minnesota State (3-0) concludes nonconference action tomorrow afternoon with a 3 p.m., home contest against Eureka.
To view the game stats, click
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Cameron Hodges discusses the game:
