MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team continues action in the second round of NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament this Sunday as it takes on the St. Cloud State Huskies at 2:30 p.m. The game will take place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2014-15 season marks the 93rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,268-857 (.596) in 2,125 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 110-40 (.733) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns a 15-11 record (.576) in NCAA Tournament play and most recently defeated Harding (97-56) in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament before falling to Northwest Missouri State 71-66. The Mavericks have now hosted four of the last five NCAA Central Region Tournaments at Taylor Center.

Tourney Time: Minnesota State won its ninth consecutive NSIC Tournament game last Wednesday as it defeated the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles 83-52 in Taylor Center. MSU will now take on St. Cloud State in the second round of the tournament. The winner of the game between the Mavericks and Huskies will take on the winner of the game between MSU Moorhead and Upper Iowa on Monday at 2:30 p.m.

Since joining the NSIC back in the 2008-09 season, MSU has put together a 12-3 NSIC Tournament record, including a pair of championship runs in 2013 and 2014.

About Wednesday: Minnesota State opened the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament with an 83-52 win against Minnesota Crookston in Taylor Center.

Senior Zach Monaghan led the Mavericks with 23 points and four assists, while senior Connor Miller added 14 points and five assists. Senior Zach Romashko became the 39th member of the MSU 1,000 point club as he dropped in eight points against the Golden Eagles. As a team, MSU shot 57.9% against UMC, to go along with 41 rebounds.

Against St. Cloud State: Sunday's game between the Mavericks and Huskies marks the 172 all-time meeting between them. SCSU holds the series edge at 89-82. MSU has won the last three meetings against the Huskies, including an 85-81 win at Taylor Center earlier this season.

The last time MSU and SCSU met in the NSIC Tournament dates back to the 2008-09 season when the Huskies defeated the Mavericks 91-89 in the final round of the NSIC Tournament.

In their previous meeting this season, senior Assem Marei posted 32 points and 15 rebounds, while senior Zach Monaghan added 19 points and 10 assists. SophomoreMike Busack tallied 10 points as well.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns  a 14-15 record against St. Cloud State, including a 0-1 record at neutral sites.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the second round of the NSIC Tournament with a 23-6 record, including an 83-52 win over Minnesota Crookston in the opening round.

Seniors Assem Marei and Zach Monaghan received All-NSIC First Team honors for their efforts this season. Marei leads the Mavericks with 19.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, while Monaghan averages 8.1 assists and 15.4 points per game.

Senior Connor Miller, who was named the NSIC Newcomer of the Year, is averaging 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He was also named to the All-NSIC Second Team.

As a team, the Mavericks have shot 49.7% from the field this season and have hauled in 36 rebounds per game. MSU has also passed out 473 assists, while forcing 319 turnovers.

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters the weekend the owner of an 18-11 overall record. SCSU advanced to the second round of the NSIC Tournament after defeating Southwest Minnesota State 93-83.

The Huskies are led by Jordan Poydras who earned All-NSIC First Team honors. Poydras is averaging a team-leading 20.1 points per game. Scottie Stone is averaging 14.2 points and 3.8 rebounds as well.

As a team, St. Cloud State is shooting 47.8% from the field and is averaging 35.6 rebounds per game. The Huskies have passed out 405 assists and have forced 388 turnovers.

Matt Reimer is in his first season at the helm of the men's basketball team at St. Cloud State.

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