Mankato, Minn. --- The 16th-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team continues NSIC play Saturday as it hosts the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears at 4 p.m.

MSU's Upcoming Opponents

Date	Opponent	Location	Time (CT)
12/21	Concordia-St. Paul	Mankato, Minn.	4 p.m.

Against the Golden Bears: Saturday's match up between the Mavericks and Golden Bears represents the 22nd meeting between MSU and CU. The Mavericks lead the all-time series with a 15-6 record, including a three-game winning streak dating back to their first encounter last season.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 14-4 record against the Golden Bears, including  a 7-2 record in Taylor Center. The Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 81-64 in their meeting earlier this season to open NSIC play.

Concerning the Mavericks: Last weekend the Mavericks went 2-0 on the road as they defeated the Wayne State Wildcats (86-55) and the Augustana Vikings (86-81). With the wins, MSU improved to 10-2, with a 4-1 record in NSIC play.

A total of five Mavericks averaged at least 10 points per game last weekend, including junior Zach Monaghan, who led the team with an average of 16 points and seven assists per game.  Senior Gage Wooten averaged 13 points per game, while senior Tanner Adler averaged 12 points and six rebounds per contest.

As a team, the Mavericks connected on 55-of-110 (.500) shots from the field last weekend, including a 20-of-44 (.455) showing from behind the three point line. The Mavericks also brought down 77 rebounds and passed out 31 assists.

On the season, junior Assem Marei is leading the MSU scoring attack with an average of 14.2 points per game, while bringing down a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game. Monaghan is averaging 6.5 assists per game, while senior Connor O'Brien leads the team in blocks with 17.

As a team, the Mavericks are averaging 87.5 points per game, to go along with an average of 42.2 rebounds per game. MSU is also shooting 50.6% from the field and 73.0% from the charity stripe.

Concerning the Golden Bears: The Golden Bears enter the weekend with a 3-6 record, including a 0-5 record in league play. CU is currently on a five-game losing streak that began with its 81-64 loss to Minnesota State back on Nov. 30. This past weekend, the Golden Bears fell to the Augustana Vikings (79-70) and the Wayne State Wildcats (65-59).

Terez Van Pelt is leading the CU offense with an average of 18.4 points per game and has dished out a team-high 28 assists. Mike Yahnke is averaging a team-high 6.2 rebounds, while Cordell Smith is averaging 10 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

As a team, the Golden Bears are averaging 73.3 points and 39.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 39.9% from the field.

Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Kelly Boe, who is in his eighth season at the helm of the men's basketball program. He currently owns a 126-108 record.

To view the complete release click HERE