Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The twelfth-ranked Minnesota State men’s basketball team earned a 84-65 wire-to-wire victory over Winona State Friday night thanks in part to four players in double-digits in the scoring column.
In the game’s final 35 minutes and 51 seconds the Maverick lead shrunk to single-digits just once.
The win, which was Minnesota State’s fourth straight in the series, pushed the Mavericks to a 16-2 record this season and improved their league record to 12-2.
“This was a great team win tonight,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler. “This win, however, means
nothing if we don’t come to play tomorrow night against Upper Iowa.”
The Mavericks came out firing in the first half as MSU shot 55.2 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from downtown en route to opening a 40-36 halftime advantage.
Nine different Mavericks found their way into the scoring column in the first half led by senior guards Joe Drapcho and Marcus Hill each of which had ten.
The second half played much like the first – with the Mavericks maintaining a double-digit lead. The nearest that Winona State got in the games final 20 minute mark came with 9:43 remaining when they cut the Maverick lead to 61-52.
Minnesota State was led in scoring by Hill who finished with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from downtown. Senior guard Jefferson Mason added 19 points while Drapcho poured in 12.
Senior guard Cameron Hodges recorded his first career double-double in the victory as he filled the stats sheet with 10 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist in 26 minutes of action.
The Mavericks finished the game shooting 49.1 percent from the floor while limiting Winona State to an icy 39.3. Minnesota State connected on 52.9 percent from downtown while the Warriors hit on just 2-of-17 from beyond the three-point line.
Minnesota State forced 16 turnovers in the victory turning the miscues in to 21 points and the Mavericks bench outscored WSU’s, 23-15.
Minnesota State hosts Upper Iowa Saturday at 6 p.m.
To view the game stats, click HERE
Cameron Hodges talks about the win
Watch senior wing Jefferson Mason's second-half dunk:
