Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team begins play in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament Wednesday as it hosts the Golden Eagles of Minnesota, Crookston. The opening tip is set for 8 p.m.

What Just Happened: Minnesota State finished its final weekend of the regular season with a 2-0 record as it earned a pair of wins against Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State. With its two wins, MSU claimed its third NSIC regular season championship since joining the NSIC back in the 2008-09 season. The Mavericks also earned the #1 south seed in the NSIC Tournament.

The Mavericks began the week with an 87-78 victory over the Sioux Falls Cougars to improve to 21-4 on the season. 

Sophomore Zach Monaghan led the Mavericks with 23 points, six assists and three steals. Monaghan also shot 4-of-6 (.667) from beyond the arc. Junior Connor O'Brien tallied 17 points and six rebounds in the winning effort, while junior Gage Wooten added nine points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Minnesota State followed up with an 85-75 win over Southwest Minnesota State. The win gave the Mavericks a 22-4 overall regular and its third NSIC regular season championship since the 2009-10 season. Boasting a league best 18-4 conference record, MSU received the #1 south seed in the NSIC Tournament and will face Minnesota, Crookston in the opening round.

Senior Jarvis Williams led the way with 21 points, to go along with five assists, in MSU's win over SMSU. Sophomore Assem Marei added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Monaghan tallied 12 points and eight assists. O'Brien also reached double digits in points with 12.
    
Minnesota State History: The 2012-13 season marks the 91st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,207-845 (.588) in 2,052 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 74-32 (.698) record to go with three regular-season championships.

The Mavericks have made seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament, going 12-9 (.571) in those trips.

A Little About Minnesota, Crookston: The Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles enter the week the owners of a 4-22 record, including a mark of 1-21 in NSIC play. With its 1-21 league record, UMC received the No. 8 north seed in the NSIC Tournament.

The Golden Eagles went 1-1 last weekend as they defeated St. Cloud State 80-77, before falling to Minnesota Duluth 66-64. The win over SCSU snapped a 21-game losing streak for the Golden Eagles.

Minnesota, Crookston is led on offense by Ashton Harrell, who is averaging 9.9 points per game. James Sparkman is averaging 7.7 points and a team-leading 4.9 rebounds per game as well.

Minnesota, Crookston is coached by Jeff Oseth, who is in his 11th season at the helm of the Golden Eagle men's basketball program.

Series History: The Mavericks are 16-0 all-time against the Golden Eagles, including a 93-55 win earlier this season. Under head coach Matt Margenthaler, the Mavericks are 12-0 against the Golden Eagles.

In their previous game this season, the Mavericks defeated the Golden Eagles 93-55. Sophomore Assem Marei led MSU in scoring with 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Junior Zach Romashko dropped in 16 points, while sophomore Zach Monaghan added nine points and nine assists.

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