Box Score Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State opened the 2012-13 season with a convincing 100-42 victory over Bethany Lutheran College in front of 1,032 fans in Taylor Center’s Bresnan Arena.

The Mavericks opened the game by scoring 53 of the first 72 points en route to a 53-19 halftime lead and never looked back.

Minnesota State shot 65.6 percent in the first half, including a scorching 55.6 percent from the three-point line while limiting the Vikings to just a 29.6 clip in the first 20 minutes.

Sophomore guard Zach Monaghan led all Mavericks in the opening stanza scoring 13 while senior guard Jarvis Williams added ten.

“I really liked the way we started tonight,” said associate head coach Mike Schott.  “This was a great win for us and a great way to start the year but now our attention turns to a very tough trip to California next weekend.”

The second half played much like the first as all ten Mavericks who played found the scoring column.

Five Mavericks reached double-figures in points with sophomore forward Zach Romashko leading the way with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting including 3-of-5 from downtown.  Monahghan had 15 and Williams added 13.  Junior wing Gage Wooten recorded the first double-double of the year with a 12-point, 10-rebound effort and junior post Connor O’Brien added 10 points.

Minnesota State finished the night shooting 60.6 percent from the floor while holding BLC to 28.6.  MSU won the battle of the rebounds, 51-19, including 13-4 on the offensive end.

Minnesota State (1-0) returns to action next weekend as it travels to Rohnert Park, Calif., to play in the Ron Logsdon Basketball Classic hosted by Sonoma State.  The Mavericks open the two-day event Friday against the host Seawolves at 9:30 p.m. (CST).

Gage Wooten talks about the win