ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- The #17 Minnesota State men's basketball team opened its 2016-17 season on a high note Friday evening in St. Cloud, Minn., as it defeated the Pittsburg State Gorillas 85-80.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 1-0 on the season, while the Gorillas fall to 0-1.
The first half saw the Mavericks take a 42-35 lead into halftime. As a team, MSU shot 61.5% (16-of-26) from the field in the opening stanza, including a 3-of-6 (.500) showing from long range. The Mavericks also owned a 14-10 advantage in rebounds and passed out eight assists, compared to two by the Gorillas.
The score remained tight half way through the first half as the Mavericks and Gorillas were knotted up at 15-15 with 10:36 to go in the half. MSU would then finish the half outscoring PSU 27-20 to carry a 42-35 lead into the locker room.
Senior
Jon Fuqua paced the Mavericks in the first half with 13 points, which included a 5-of-6 showing from the field. Freshman
Cameron Kirksey notched four points and six rebounds in the first half as well, while sophomores
Joey Witthus and
Cole Harper added eight points and seven points in the first half, respectively.
Pittsburg State managed to tie the Mavericks at 49-49 with 14:21 left in the game but Minnesota State responded with an 18-7 run over the next six minutes to go up 67-56 with 8:07 to go. The Gorillas managed to get back within five points of the Mavericks in the closing minute but they would get no closer as MSU secured the 85-80 win.
Fuqua finished with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds, to go along with a 10-of-12 showing from the field. Witthus added 20 points and five rebounds of his own. Witthus also connected of 4-of-6 opportunities from long range. Harper tallied 12 points off the bench, including a 7-of-8 performance from the free throw line.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 55.2% from the field against the Gorillas, including a 43.8% showing from behind the arc. MSU also passed out 19 assists and recorded seven steals.
Brandon Clifford led the PSU offense with 24 points, with Dakota Jones following right behind with 22 points.
As a unit, Pittsburg State shot 55.6% from the field, including a 43.8% performance from behind the three point line.
The Mavericks wrap up the weekend on Saturday as they take on the Missouri Southern State Lions in St. Cloud, Minn. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.
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