Box Score Mankato, Minn. –  The 12^th-ranked Minnesota State men’s basketball team closed out a three-game homestand Saturday afternoon with an 84-76 victory over Southwest Minnesota State.

Senior wing Jefferson Mason led the way for the Mavericks as he finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, recording his sixth 20-point game of the season and his second double-double of the year.  Seniors Marcus Hill and Taylor Morrow each finished in double-digits as well as Hill added 19 points and Morrow added a season-high 13 points.

“This was a great way for us to close the homestand,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “We had guys step up all game long tonight and that was key.  Now we have to get better this week as we have a tough roadtrip awaiting us.”

The game started as a back-and-forth affair as the Mavericks opened a 46-40 advantage at the break, despite being held without a field goal for the final two minutes and 10 seconds of the first half.

Hill paced MSU in the opening 20 minutes with 14 points while senior post Mason added ten points, six of which came from the free throw line.

The second half played much like the first – physical.  The Mavericks opened their largest lead of the game at the 11:30 mark when Mason hit a layup to extend the score to 66-56 but the Mustangs stormed back with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 68-64 with 8:27 remaining. 

The Mustangs scored on four consecutive possessions to take the lead at 72-71 5:14 remaining in the game.

Minnesota State answered with a 9-0 run with four different Mavericks contributing to open an 80-72 advantage with 2:03 remaining and never look back.

Mason finished the night hitting on 6-of-15 from the floor and 10-of-16 from the line to go with five assists. 

The Mavericks finished the night shooting 40 percent from the floor while SMSU hit on 47.3 percent of its opportunities.  SMSU won the battle of the boards, 39-35, however MSU won the battle of the offensive glass, 11-9, shutting the Mustangs out on the offensive end of the court in the second half.  The Mavericks scored 24 second-chance points in the victory.

Minnesota State (12-1, 8-1 NSIC) travels to Northern State Friday night for an 8 p.m., contest against Wolves.

To view the stats, click HERE

Taylor Morrow talks about the win