Box Score Anaheim, Calif. --- The #5 Minnesota State men's basketball finished its three-game road trip at the CCA Tipoff Classic Sunday evening as it defeated the Lindenwood Lions 85-77.

With the win, MSU improved to 2-1 on the season, while Lindenwood fell to 0-3 with the loss.

Senior forward Connor O'Brien made his presence felt in MSU's victory over the Lions as he notched his 13th career double double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while shooting 7-of-10 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the line.

Junior forward Assem Marei and junior guard Zach Monaghan added 16 points, with Marei also bringing down eight rebounds. Junior forward Zach Romashko dropped in 11 points as well, while freshman guard Mike Busack added a career-high10 points.

MSU jumped out in front of the Lions early on in the first half as it led 21-8 with 10:11 left to go in the opening frame. Lindenwood gradually chipped away at MSU's lead and eventually took the lead late in the first half, only to see the Mavericks knot up the score at  37 heading into halftime.

As they did in the first half, the Mavericks jumped out to another early lead in the second half and eventually built a 16 point lead at 63-47 with 11:54 left in the game. The Lions managed to get back within five points with two minutes left in the game, but they would get no closer as MSU finished off its second win of the season by the score of 85-77.

As a team, the Mavericks connected on 29-of-60 (.483) shots from the field and 21-of-29 (.724) attempts from the charity stripe. MSU also hauled in 36 rebounds and dished out 17 assists.

The Lions were paced by Brandon Marquardt, who led Lindenwood with 17 points, while Darris Smith and Tyler Ressel each dropped in 16 points.

Minnesota State opens the home portion of its schedule Friday as it hosts the Waldorf Warriors. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m.

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