MANKATO, Minn. --- After besting Bemidji State 81-71 in Taylor Center, the Minnesota State men's basketball team will now head to Sioux Falls, S.D., on Saturday to take on the University of Mary in the second round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament at the Sanford Pentagon. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Should MSU defeat the Marauders, the Mavericks would take on the winner of the game between MSU Moorhead and Upper Iowa on Monday at the Sanford Pentagon, with the tip-off scheduled for 12:00 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 1,289-866 (.598) in 2,155 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 125-47 (.726) 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.
 
Our Last Outing: Minnesota State opened play in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament with an 81-71 win over Bemidji State to advance to the second round. The Mavericks have now won eight of their last 10 games and currently own a 21-8 overall record.

Senior Jalen Pendleton finished just one assist away from a triple-double as he notched 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists against the Beavers. Junior Jon Fuqua recorded 23 points and nine rebounds against the Beavers as well, while sophomore Alex Herink and freshman Joey Witthus each notched nine points.

As a team, MSU controlled the glass against BSU as it enjoyed a 51-34 advantage in rebounds. The Mavericks notched 18 second chance points against the Beavers and also enjoyed a 36-32 advantage in points in the paint as well.

Against the Marauders: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the University of Mary marks their 11th all-time meeting, with MSU owning a 9-1 series advantage. The Mavericks have won the last five meetings against U-Mary, including a 76-71 road victory earlier this season.

Senior Jalen Pendleton led the Maverick offense against the Marauders with 28 points, while junior Jon Fuqua notched a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 40.3% from the field. The Mavericks also boasted a 44-34 advantage in rebounds.

MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 9-1 record against the University of Mary.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State advanced to the second round of the NSIC Tournament after it defeated Bemidji State 81-71. MSU owns a 21-8 overall record, and has won eight of its last 10 games.

Senior Jalen Pendleton leads the MSU offense with an average of 18 points and 4.8 assists per game. Junior Jon Fuqua is averaging 15 points and a team-leading 7.7 rebounds per game. Fuqua has a team-leading seven double-doubles on the season.

As a team, MSU is shooting 46.1% from the field this season and is averaging 40 rebounds per game. The Mavericks have passed out 405 assists as well.


Individual Top-10s in NSIC
Jalen Pendleton - Scoring, 7th (18.0 ppg)
Jon Fuqua - Rebounds, 5th (7.7 rpg)
Jon Fuqua - Shooting %, 3rd (55.3%)
Joey Witthus - 3pt %, 2nd (46.4%)
Jalen Pendleton - Assists, 4th (4.8 apg)
Jon Fuqua - Blocks, 10th (0.8 bpg)
Joey Witthus - Minutes, 1st (35.2 mpg)

Concerning the Marauders: The University of Mary enters the second round of the NSIC Tournament with an 18-11 overall record, including a 76-72 win over Concordia-St. Paul in the first round of the tournament. U-Mary has won four of its last five games.

Bryan Jefferson is leading U-Mary with 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season, Marquealis Edwards is averaging 10.2 points , 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as well.

As a team, the Marauders are averaging 80.1 points per game and are shooting 48.1% from the field. They are also averaging 12.6 assists and 6.7 steals per game.

Joe Kittell is in his first season at the helm of the University of Mary men's basketball team.

Individual Top-10s in NSIC
Bryan Jefferson - Rebounds, 9th (6.5 rpg)
Bryan Jefferson - Shooting %, 2nd (58.4%)
Marquealis Edwards - FT %, 7th (82.6%)
Tyler Brandon - 3pt %, 8th (40.9%)
Marquealis Edwards - Assists, 9th (3.7 apg)
Marquealis Edwards - Steals, 2nd (1.8 spg)

Regional Rankings: On Feb. 24, Minnesota State was ranked fifth in the second edition of the NCAA Central Region Rankings. The top-eight teams in each region advance to the NCAA Tournament.