Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The 14th-ranked Minnesota State men’s basketball team survived a scare by Minnesota Duluth Friday evening, earning an 85-84 victory over the host Bulldogs.
The Mavericks, which owned three different 14-point leads in the second half, used a pair of 20-point performances to seal the win. Senior guard Cameron Hodges and senior wing Jefferson Mason finished with 21 and 20 points respectively to help ice the victory.
Trailing 83-76 with 1:14 remaining, UMD’s Ryan Rasmussen rattled off eight points in the final 74 seconds to keep the game within striking distance for the Bulldogs. Rasmussen’s three with 56 seconds remaining cut the MSU lead to two at 83-81. After both teams came up empty on the ensuing possessions, the Bulldogs were forced to foul senior guard Marcus Hill.
With seven seconds remaining, Hill calmly stepped to the line and sank both free throws to give MSU a four-point edge. Rasmussen’s scoring barrage wasn’t over however as he drilled a three with one second remaining, but it was too little too late as the Mavericks escaped with the win.
“A win is a win in this league,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler. “We need to learn from this win and get ready for a good Bemidji State team tomorrow evening.”
Hodges finished the night with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-5 from the three-point line and 8-of-13 from the stripe. Mason added 20 points and 12 rebounds in recording his ninth double-double of the season.
Minnesota State finished the night shooting 49.1 percent from the floor while UMD hit on 49.2 percent of its opportunities.
The Mavericks dominated the glass, outrebounding UMD, 41-24, including 12-5 on the offensive end. The game marked the third consecutive 40-plus rebound effort by the Mavericks.
Minnesota State (21-3, 17-3) travel to Bemidji State for a 6 p.m., tip tomorrow evening.
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