Mankato, Minn. --- The eighth-ranked Minnesota State men's basketball begins a two-game road trip this weekend as it takes on Upper Iowa Friday (8 p.m.) and #15 Winona State Saturday (6 p.m.)

What Just Happened: Minnesota State completed a 1-1 home stand this past weekend as it lost to Bemidji State 82-74, before defeating Minnesota, Crookston 93-55. With the 1-1 record, Minnesota State still sits atop the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings with a 19-3 overall record and a 15-3 mark in conference play.

Against Bemidji State, MSU fell 82-74 despite shooting 45.8% (27-of-59) from the field and outrebounding the Beavers 37-26.

Junior Gage Wooten led the Mavericks in scoring with 19 points, which matched his previous career high against Concordia (1/15). Junior Connor O'Brien posted his 11th career double double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Jarvis Williams added 15 points, including a 5-of-5 showing from the line. Sophomore Zach Monaghan also passed out seven assists.

The Mavericks bounced right back as they defeated Minnesota, Crookston 93-55 for their 19th win of the season. As a team, MSU shot 55.4% (36-of-65) from the field, brought down 47 rebounds and passed out 23 assists.

Sophomore Assem Marei led MSU with 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Sophomore Zach Romashko added 16 points of his own, while freshman Jaymeson Moten posted nine points and four assists. Monaghan passed out nine assists as well, to go along with nine points.
    
Minnesota State History: The 2012-13 season marks the 91st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,204-844 (.587) in 2,048 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 69-31 (.690) record 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 Upper Iowa: The Upper Iowa Peacocks enter the weekend the owners of a 17-7 record, including a 13-5 record in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. With the 13-5 league record, UIU sits in a tie for third place in the overall and South Division standings.

Upper Iowa has won four of its last five games and is currently on a two-game winning streak with win in its last two games on the road at Minnesota Duluth (70-69) and at St. Cloud State (71-70).

Tucker Wentzien leads Upper Iowa with an average of 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Sam Elgin is averaging 11.9 points per game, while Joey Woods has passed out a team-high 68 assists.

The Peacocks are coached by Brian Dolan, who is in his seventh season at the helm of the Peacock program.  

Series History: Minnesota State is 12-1 all-time against the Peacocks, with all 13 meetings coming with Matt Margenthaler as head coach for the Mavericks.

Sophomore Zach Romashko is averaging 12.3 points per game against UIU in three games played.
   
In their previous meeting this season Upper Iowa defeated MSU 61-60 on a last second shot at Taylor Center. Sophomore Assem Marei posted a double double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

A Little About Winona State: The #15 Winona State Warriors enter the weekend the owners of a 21-4 overall record and a 15-3 record in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. WSU is currently in a tie for first place with MSU in the overall and South Division standings.

Winona State finished 1-1 this past weekend as St. Cloud State ended its 14-game winning streak with a 79-78 loss. The Warriors bounced back against Minnesota Duluth as they defeated the Bulldogs 89-73.

Clayton Vette is leading the Warriors with an average of 20.2 points per game, to go along with an average of 8.2 rebounds per contest. Taylor Cameron has passed out a team-high 83 assists for the Warriors as well.

Winona State is coached by Mike Leaf , who is in his 15th season at the helm of the WSU program.

Series History: The Mavericks are 81-40 all-time against the Warriors including a 78-70 win earlier this season at Taylor Center. The Mavericks are 9-10 against WSU under head coach Matt Margenthaler.

In their earlier meeting this season, MSU defeated WSU 78-70. The Mavericks were led by senior Jarvis Williams who posted a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

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