Box Score Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State men’s basketball team improved to 5-0 Saturday evening after a 76-71 victory over Concordia University in front of 1,482 people in the Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University.
Offensively, Minnesota State was led by sophomore guard
Zach Monaghan who finished with 23 points and eight assists.
“Tonight proved why we play in one of – if not the – most difficult league in the nation,” said Minnesota State head coach
Matt Margenthaler. “It’s great to get the win, but we need to get better defensively.”
The first half was a back-and-forth affair which featured two ties and four lead changes as Minnesota State opened a 35-34 halftime advantage thanks to 12 points Monaghan and 11 points from junior forward
Connor O’Brien.
The second half played much like the same as it as Minnesota State maintained a lead until the 6:40 mark when CU’s Cole Olstad hit a pair of free throws to give the Golden Bears a 59-58 edge.
On MSU’s ensuing possession, Monaghan drilled a three from the right wing as the shot clock was expiring as MSU regained the lead at 61-59.
The game would become tied again as the Golden Bears used a pair of free throws over two trips down the court to knot the game at 61 with 4:36 remaining.
After both teams traded baskets, junior forward
Gage Wooten hit a pair of free throws to give MSU the lead for the final time. From that point on, Minnesota State hit 5-of-6 free throws to ice the win.
Joining Monaghan in double figures was O’Brien who finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting while sophomore forward
Assem Marei added 13 points and six rebounds.
The Mavericks shot 35.4 percent in the win but owned a 42-34 edge on the glass, including an 18-3 advantage on the offensive end. MSU turned the 18 offensive rebounds into 21 points.
Minnesota State (5-0, 1-0 NSIC) continues its homestand next weekend as it entertains Winona State, Friday at 8 p.m.
Listen to Matt Margenthaler post game by clicking
HERE.
Connor O'Brien talks about the win:
