Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The #7 Minnesota State men’s basketball team opened the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament in decisive fashion as it defeated the Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles 86-60.
With the win, MSU improves to 23-4 on the season. With the loss UMC falls to 4-23.
The Mavericks controlled the pace of the game throughout the second half as they led the Golden Eagles by as much as much as 32 points. MSU began the second half with an 11-point lead and would maintain the double digit lead through the final 20 minutes as it closed out the game with an 86-60 win.
Sophomore
Zach Monaghan led all-scorers with 18 points, while junior
Jimmy Whitehead tallied 16 points, including a 4-of-4 showing from the line. Senior
Jarvis Williams added 10 points and three assists, while junior
Connor O'Brien posted five points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
As a team, MSU shot 28-of-55 (.509) from the field, including a 10-of-18 (.556) showing from three-point land. MSU also shot 83.3% (20-of-24) from the charity stripe.
Ashton Harrell led the Golden Eagles with 13 points, while Broderick Schmidt tallied a team-high eight rebounds.
The first half began with some close action as the Mavericks led by five, 16-11 with 11:53 left in the first half. MSU would finish the first half on a 27-21 run to take a 43-32 lead into the locker room.
Monaghan led the Mavericks in the first half with 12 points, while sophomore
Jaymeson Motentallied nine points as he connected on three shots from long range.
As a team, the Mavericks connected on 5-of-10 (.500) from beyond the arc in the first half. MSU put in a perfect showing from the free throw line in the opening as it sank all 14 free throw attempts.
Harrell led the Golden Eagles with nine points in the first half, while Schmidt posted five points and seven rebounds.
Minnesota State hosts MSU-Moorhead Saturday in the second round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. The opening tip is set for 2 p.m.
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