Box Score ST. PAUL, Minn. --- The 11th-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team maintained the lead throughout its NSIC opener Saturday evening as it defeated the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears 81-64.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 7-1 on the season, including a 1-0 record in NSIC play. With the loss, the Golden Bears fall to 3-2, including a 0-1 record in NSIC play

Junior forward Assem Marei made his presence felt in his return to the court as he posted a game-high 24 points, while shooting 11-of-12 (.916) from the field, to go along with nine rebounds.

Senior Connor O'Brien added 18 points, six rebounds and a career-high five blocks, while junior Zach Monaghan tallied 12 points and seven assists.

As a team, MSU shot 27-of-49 (.551) from the field and 22-of-30 (.733) from the free throw line. The Mavericks also brought down 40 rebounds and passed out 20 assists.

MSU wasted little time jumping out in front of the Golden Bears as it built a 13-point lead at 23-10 with 9:07 left in the first half. CU managed to close within seven points of the Mavericks at 33-26 before heading into the locker room.

Marei led MSU with eight first-half points to go along with five rebounds.

The second half saw the Golden Bears pull to within three points of the Mavericks on two occasions, but that was as close as they would get as the MSU outscored CU 48-38 in the second half to secure the 81-64 win.

Terez VanPelt led the CU offense with 20 points, including a 10-of-10 showing from the line. Cole Olstad added 11 points, five rebounds and five assists as well.

The Mavericks return home Friday as they host the Upper Iowa Peacocks. The opening tip is set for 8 p.m.

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