Box Score MANKATO, Minn. --- The #20 Minnesota State men's basketball team found itself in a battle with Augustana Friday evening in Taylor Center but it was the Mavericks who would come out on top with the 84-77 victory.

With the win, MSU improves to 15-3 on the season, including a 9-2 mark in NSIC play. With the loss, Augustana falls to 10-7, with a 7-4 record in league play.

As the Mavericks completed their regular season sweep of the Vikings, MSU junior Zach Monaghan recorded his third straight double-double as he tallied 12 points and 11 assists.  He is now the seventh player under head coach Matt Margenthaler to post a double-double in three straight games.

While Monaghan was passing out the assists, junior Assem Marei finished just one rebound shy of a double-double as he notched a team-high 18 points and nine rebounds. Senior Connor O'Brien also made his presence felt with 15 points and eight rebounds, while senior Gage Wooten added 13 points.

As a unit, MSU shot 55.8% from the field, including a 9-of-18 (.500) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also brought down 33 rebounds and forced 12 Augustana turnovers.

Casey Schilling led the Viking offense with 19 points, while Daniel Jansen posted 14 points.

The first half saw Augustana maintain the lead through the first 11 minutes as it led by as many as nine points. MSU would rally to take the lead at 23-21 with 9:05 left in the half. The Mavericks would add to their lead through the final nine minutes as they took a 41-35 lead into the locker room.

O'Brien and senior Tanner Adler led the MSU offense with nine points each, while Marei added six points and five rebounds.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 47.1% (16-of-34) from the field, including a 6-of-14 (.429) showing from behind the arc. MSU also brought down 17 rebounds and passed out 10 assists.

Augustana was led in the first half by Jansen who tallied 10 points. As a team, the Vikings shot 53.8% (14-of-26) from the field.

The Mavericks led by at least five points through the entire second half as they outscored the Vikings 43-42 in the final session, en route to the 84-77 victory.

MSU wraps ups its homestand Saturday as it takes of the Wayne State Wildcats. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m.

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