MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its season on the road Saturday as it takes on St. Cloud State at Halenbeck Hall in a nonconference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Minnesota State History: The 2016-17 season marks the 95th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,294-870 (.597) in 2,164 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 a 125-47 (.726) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.
The Mavericks made their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this past season. MSU owns a 16-13 record (.551) in NCAA Tournament play, including an 85-81 win over MSU Moorhead and an 82-60 loss to Northwest Missouri State in the most recent trip to the tournament.
About Last Week: The Mavericks traveled to Seattle, Wash., last weekend where they defeated Seattle Pacific (78-69) and Central Washington (104-93) to improve to 3-1 on the season. For their efforts last weekend, both junior
Charlie Brown and sophomore
Joey Witthus were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Brown garnering MVP honors. Brown averaged 23 points and 4.5 rebounds a game, while Witthus posted 16.0 points and 7.0 rebounds a game.
MSU began the weekend with a 78-69 win against Seattle Pacific. Five Mavericks scored at least 10 points in their win over SPU, including Brown, who posted a team-leading 22 points. Sophomore
Cole Harper added 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists as well.
The Mavericks then finished the weekend with a 104-93 win over Central Missouri, marking the second time this season that MSU has surpassed the 100-point plateau. A trio of Mavericks including Brown, Witthus and senior
Aarias Austin each passed the 20-point plateau. Brown led MSU with 24 points, while Austin and Witthus dropped in 22 points. Witthus also hauled in 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Senior
AJ Patty also notched 15 points and nine rebounds.
Against the Huskies: Saturday's nonconference meeting between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State marks the 174th meeting between them. SCSU leads the all-time series with an 89-86 record.
MSU has won its last five meetings against the Huskies, including an 86-71 win last season on the road. Senior
Jon Fuqua posted 19 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore
Joey Witthus added 17 points and five rebounds.
Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-15 record against St. Cloud State, including a 5-8 record at Halenbeck Hall.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 3-1 last weekend as it defeated both Seattle Pacific (78-69) and Central Washington (104-93) in Seattle.
As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 92.5 points and 41.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 51.1% from the field. MSU is also outrebounding its opponents 41.8-35.8.
Sophomore
Joey Witthus leads the MSU offense with an average of 20.5 points a game. Junior
Charlie Brown is averaging 1.58 points a game as well, with senior
Jon Fuqua following right behind with 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds a game.
Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 333-134 (.713) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Concerning the Huskies: The St. Cloud State Huskies enter the week the owners of a 2-4 overall record, including an 86-64 win against Waldorf last weekend at home. SCSU will take on Saint John's on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
As a team, SCSU is averaging 75.5 points per game and is giving up 74.3 points a game. The Huskies are also outrebounding their opponents by an average of 40.8-33.5.
Gage Davis leads St. Cloud State with an average of 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Scottie Stone is averaging 15.8 points and 3.0 rebounds a game as well.
The Huskies are coached by Matt Reimer, who is in his second season at the helm of the SCSU men's basketball team. He owns a 20-16 overall record.
