MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team wraps up the 2015 calendar year on Saturday as it hosts the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears at Taylor Center. The opening tip is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2015-16 season marks the 94th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,277-861 (.597) in 2,138 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 an 113-41 (.733) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns a 15-12 record (.555) in NCAA Tournament play and most recently lost to Northwest Missouri State 59-56. The Mavericks have hosted four of the last six NCAA Central Region Tournaments at Taylor Center.
 
About Last Week: The Mavericks went 2-0 at home last weekend after they defeated the Upper Iowa Peacocks (97-75) and the Winona State Warriors (78-77) to improve to 8-2 on the season. The Mavericks have now won eight straight games at Taylor Center dating back to last season.

Four Mavericks averaged at least 10 points per game last weekend, including senior Jalen Pendleton who averaged 18 points, five assists and three rebounds per game. Sophomore TJ Lake added 17 points and three rebounds per game as well, while junior Jon Fuqua averaged 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.

As a team, MSU averaged 87.5 points per game last weekend, while shooting 50.5% from the field. The Mavericks also shot 51.2% from behind the arc, to go along with an average of 37 rebounds and 15 assists in their wins.

Against the Golden Bears: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and Concordia-St. Paul marks the 25th meeting between them. The Mavericks own the series edge with a 17-7 record.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-5 all-time record against the Golden Bears, including a 9-2 record at Taylor Center.

Last season, the Mavericks split the season series with the Golden Bears with each team winning on its home court.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters its final weekend of the calendar year the owner of an 8-2 record. MSU presently sits in fifth place in the NSIC standings with a 3-1 league record.

The Mavericks currently have five players averaging more than 10 points per game, including junior Mike Busack, who is leads MSU with 13.7 points per game. Senior Jalen Pendleton is following right behind with 13.6 points per game, while junior Jon Fuqua is averaging 12.3 points and a team-leading 6.7 rebounds per game.

As a team, MSU is shooting 46.6% from the field this season and is hauling in 39.5 rebounds per game. The Mavericks have also passed out 164 assists and have forced 121 turnovers.

Concerning the Golden Bears: The Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears enter the weekend the owners of a 2-7 record, including a 0-4 NSIC record. CU has lost its last five games, including a pair of losses to Winona State (59-50) and Upper Iowa (103-80) last weekend.

Cole Olstad is lead the CU offense with 12.7 points per contest, with Diallo Powell following with 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

As a team, the Golden Bears are shooting 42.3% from the field, including a 35% showing from behind the arc. CU is also averaging 38.7 rebounds and 13.1 assists per game.

Joey James is in his second season at the helm of the CU men's basketball program. He owns a 21-18 record.

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