MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team put forth an excellent shooting display Friday evening in Taylor Center as the Mavericks shot 50% from the field, en route to an 82-43 win over Northland College.

With the win, MSU improves to 2-1 on the season, while Northland falls to 1-1.

The Mavericks saw 11 players drop in at least one basket on the evening as they connected on 33-of-66 shots from the field. Senior Zach Romashko led all scorers with 15 points, while senior Assem Marei added 14 points and three steals.

Sophomore Mike Busack notched 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while senior Connor Miller tallied nine points and five assists. Senior Zach Monaghan passed out a game-high eight helpers as well.

As a team, MSU scored 44 points in the paint, and brought down 46 rebounds, compared to the Lumberjacks 32. The Mavericks also notched 26 points off of 19 Northland turnovers.

Tyrin Vann led the Lumberjacks with 10 points.

The first half saw the Mavericks shoot 61.3% from the field as they took a 45-23 lead into the locker room. MSU opened up its first double-digit lead of the game at 26-15 with 7:03 left in the opening frame, before taking a 22-point lead into the half.

The second half saw more of the same from MSU as it maintained at least a 20-point lead throughout the final 20 minutes of play as it secured the 82-43 victory.

Miller led all scorers in the second half with nine points.

The Mavericks wrap up their homestand on Saturday at Taylor Center as they host the Waldorf Warriors. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m.


                                                                    -30-