Box Score Mankato, Minn.—  The 12^th-ranked Minnesota State men’s basketball team overcame a sluggish start en route to a 82-72 victory over Minnesota, Crookston, Tuesday evening in Bresnan Arena. 

Senior wing Jefferson Mason scored a career-high 31 points on the night to pace the Mavericks, finishing the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference series by averaging 29 points while shooting 21-of-31 (.677) from the floor.   

Mason became the first Maverick to score 30 or more points since Jake Morrow scored 32 points against Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 10, 2008.

After playing a forgettable first 18 minutes of the half, the Mavericks used an 11-0 run to turn a 39-36 deficit into a 47-39 halftime advantage.

The run was bookended by a pair of three-pointer from senior guard Joe Drapcho.  Mason added all five points in the middle of the run, two of which came on a beautiful post entry pass from redshirt freshman Connor O'Brien.

The Mavericks – who shot 52.8 percent in the first half and had more offensive rebounds (9) than defensive (7) – were led by Mason’s 18 first half points. Minnesota, Crookston shot 62.1 percent in the opening frame.

“I was very disappointed with the way we started tonight,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “We’ll take this league win and get ready for what we know will be a very tough game against Southwest Minnesota State Saturday afternoon.”

Both teams traded baskets to start the second half and UMC eventually whittled the Maverick lead down to 53-51 with 13:44 remaining in the game.

Drapcho sparked a 6-0 run – all on the same possession - by gathering a steal and taking up court in transition before being intentionally fouled.  Drapcho stepped to the line and sank both free throws.  Senior guard Cameron Hodges then scored on a traditional three-point play to end the possession, pushing MSU’s lead to 60-53.

Minnesota, Crookston didn’t go away however as it cut the lead to 65-61 with 8:25 remaining.  Redshirt freshman Jimmy Whitehead scored on a traditional three-point play to spark a 7-0 run, allowing the Mavericks to finish the game comfortably.

Senior guardMarcus Hill finished the night with his first career double-double as he finished with 12 points and passed out 10 assists.  It marked the second-time in his career that Hill has recorded 10 or more assists, the only other coming in an 11-assist effort against MacMurray on Dec. 8, 2008.

Mason finished the night connecting on 12-of-19 shots, including 2-of-2 from downtown and 5-of-7 the stripe, while grabbing six rebounds, passing out three assists and gathering two steals.

The Mavericks finished the night shooting 45.3 percent from the floor, while UMC shot 57.1 percent. 

MSU, which won the battle of the boards, 34-30, outrebounded UMC 15-6 on the offensive end, turning the 15 offensive rebounds in to 15 points.

Minnesota State (11-1, 7-1 NSIC) concludes its three-game homestand Saturday afternoon when it hosts Soutwest Minnesota State.

To view the box score, click HERE

To listen to coach Margenthaler's postgame show, click HERE

Jefferson Mason comments on the game