Mankato, Minn. --- The 11th-ranked Minnesota State men's basketball team kicks off its three-game road trip Tuesday as it travels to Concordia-St. Paul. The opening tip is set for 8 p.m.

What Just Happened: Minnesota State extended its winning streak to six games as it took home a pair of wins against Northern State (83-76) and MSU Moorhead (87-64). Sophomore Zach Monaghan posted a career-high 29 points in MSU's win over Northern State, while shooting 12-of-12 from the line.

In the MSU's win over the Dragons, five Mavericks tallied at least 10 points in the contest, including senior Jarvis Williams who posted a game-high 21 points. With its two wins this past weekend, Minnesota State has now claimed first place in the NSIC Southern Division and the overall league standings.

NSIC Player of the Week: For his efforts this past weekend, sophomore Zach Monaghan was named the NSIC Player of the Week. In MSU's two wins, Monaghan averaged 21 points a game, while passing out nine assists and posting seven steals. He also finished 14-of-14 from the line.

Minnesota State History: The 2012-13 season marks the 91st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,197-842 (.587) in 2,039 games since the program’s inception in the 1920-21 season. MSU capped its 33rd and final season as a member of the NCC in 2008 and owned a 283-267 (.515) record in 550 league games played. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 62-29  record (.681) to go with a pair of regular-season championships.
    
The Mavericks have made seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament, going 12-9 (.571) in those trips.

A Little About Concordia-St. Paul: The Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears enter the week on a four-game losing streak, with a pair of losses to MSU Moorhead (79-64) and Northern State (79-73). With a 2-11 record on the season, the Golden Bears are still looking for their first victory in NSIC play as they have gone 0-9 in conference action this season.

With its 0-9 record in league play, CU is currently at the bottom of the NSIC Southern Division standings and is tied for last place in the league standings with Minnesota, Crookston.

The Golden Bears have three players averaging more than 10 points a game this season, including Terez VanPelt, who is averaging 19.2 points a game. Cole Olstad is averaging 14.6 points per contest and a team-high 5.4 rebounds per game.

Concordia-St.Paul is coached by Kelly Boe, who is in his seventh season as the helm of the men's basketball program. He currently owns a 116-95 record as the Golden Bears head coach.

Series History:  Minnesota State is 13-6 all-time against Concordia-St. Paul...The Mavericks lost both meetings with the Golden Bears last season, but defeated CU 76-71 earlier this season to open conference play...MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler is 12-4 in his career against MSU-Moorhead...Sophomore Zach Monaghan led all scorers with 23 points in MSU's win, while junior Connor O'Brien added 16 points and seven rebounds.

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