MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team continues its homestand on Tuesday as it plays host to the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. The opening tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
Minnesota State History: The 2014-15 season marks the 93rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,263-856 (.596) in 2,119 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 106-39 (.731) 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.

About Last Week: Minnesota State remained perfect at home as it gained a pair of victories over the University of Mary (82-71) and Minot State (81-62). With its wins, MSU improved to 18-5 on the season, including a 13-4 NSIC record.

Senior Zach Monaghan led the Maverick offense last weekend with an average of 19 points and nine assists per game. Senior Assem Marei netted 16.5 points per game, while bringing down an average of 9.5 rebounds per contest.

Against Concordia-St. Paul: Tuesday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Golden Bears will mark the 24th meeting between them, with MSU holding the series edge at 16-7.

In their meeting earlier this season, CU defeated the Mavericks 75-73 in St. Paul. Four Mavericks tallied at least 12 points, including senior Assem Marei who tallied 18 points and seven rebounds. Senior Connor Miller added 16 points, while senior Zach Monaghan tallied 13 points and 12 assists.

As a team, MSU shot 43.1% from the field, while passing out 19 assists.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns  a 15-5 overall record against Concordia-St. Paul, including an 8-2 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters Tuesday's game with an 18-5 record, including a 13-4 NSIC record. MSU won its previous two conference games this past weekend to climb into third place in the NSIC standings.

Senior Assem Marei leads the Mavericks with an average of 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Senior Zach Monaghan is averaging a team-high 8.4 assists per game, to go along with 14.4 points.

As a team, MSU is shooting 49.2% from the field and currently holds a +4 rebound margin against its opponents.

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the week the owner of a 15-8 overall record, including an 11-6 league record. Last weekend, it lost to Minot State in double overtime 99-91, before defeating the University of Mary 75-64 in St. Paul.

Cole Olstad leads the CU offense with an average of 13.6 points per game, with Terez Van Pelt averaging 11.3 points per contest, to go along with a team-leading 96 assists.

As a team, CU is shooting 45.2% from the field, including a 35.8% showing from behind the arc. The Golden Bears have forced 293 turnovers and have passed out 300 assists as well.

Joey James is in his first year as the head men's basketball coach at Concordia-St. Paul. He owns a 15-8 record.

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