Sioux Falls, S.D. --- Minnesota Statesenior guard Cameron Hodges poured in a career-high 23 points to lead tenth-ranked Minnesota State to a 92-79 victory over Augustana Friday evening in front of 3,403 fans in the Elmen Center on the campus of Augustana College.

Hodges finished the night 9-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-7 from the three-point line. 

“Obviously this is a huge win for us to get where we want to go,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler. “I really like the way our guys came and answered every shot Augustana threw at us and I loved the way we held our composure.  Now we need to get ready for a very good Wayne State team tomorrow evening.”

The game opened with the Mavericks jumping out to a 5-0 lead before the Vikings stormed back to tie it at seven.

Minnesota State then broke the tie with a 13-0 to push a 20-8 lead with ten minutes and 57 seconds remaining. The run, which featured five different Mavericks in the scoring column, was highlighted by a three-pointer by Hodges.

The Vikings answered with a 14-4 run of their own, a spurt highlighted by Cody Schilling who poured in ten of the points during the run to cut the score to 24-22 with eight minutes remaining. 

Minnesota State held its own however, extending its halftime lead to 43-35. Ten Mavericks found the floor in the first half with eight reaching the scoring ledger. Hodges led the Mavericks in the first half with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-4 from downtown. 

Minnesota State finished the first half hitting on 54.5 percent of its opportunities while limiting the Vikings to 42.3 percent. 

The Mavericks maintained its lead throughout the second half, answering every run that Augustana would throw at them. 

With 3:31 remaining, the Vikings pulled within three at 80-77 but MSU used a 12-2 run to seal the win.

Senior guards Marcus Hill and Joe Drapcho each scored 14 for the Mavericks while redshirt freshman Jimmy Whitehead added 11 and senior wing Jefferson Mason added 10. 

Mason led all Mavericks with eight rebounds as MSU outrebounded the Vikings, 32-28.

Minnesota State finished the night shooting 56.1 percent from the floor while Augustana hit on 45.5 percent of their chances.

The Mavericks (18-2, 14-2 NSIC) travel to Wayne State tomorrow night for a 6 p.m., contest with the Wildcats.

To view the game stats, click HERE

To listen to Coach Margenthaler's post game show, click HERE

Joe Drapcho talks about the win: