MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team continues its five-game homestand on Tuesday as it takes on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears at Taylor Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 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 1,301-874 (.598) in 2,175 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 130-51 (.718) 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 Our Last Outings: Minnesota State went 1-1 this past weekend and now owns at 10-5 overall record, including a 5-4 NSIC record. The Mavericks fell to Augustana 85-70, before defeating Wayne State 87-78.
Against the Vikings, the Mavericks shot 44.4% from the field, to go along with a 13-of-16 (.813) performance from the free throw line. Senior
Jon Fuqua led the Mavericks with 14 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore
Joey Witthus added 10 points and five rebounds.
Against Wayne State, four Mavericks scored at least 10 points in the game, including Fuqua who notched 21 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Senior
Aarias Austin added 16 points and five assists, while freshman
Cameron Kirksey notched 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
As a team, MSU shot 53.7% from field, including a 10-of-19 (.526) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also passed out 18 assists and committed just four turnovers.
Against the Golden Bears: Tuesday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 28th meeting, with MSU owning a 20-7 record against CSP. The Mavericks have won their last four meetings against the Golden Bears, including an 86-82 road win earlier this season.
Four Mavericks scored at least 10 points against the Golden Bears earlier this season, including senior Aarias Austin, who tallied a game-high 24 points. Senior
Jon Fuqua added 19 points and six rebounds, while sophomore
Joey Witthus posted 10 points and eight rebounds.
MSU Head Coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 19-5 record against the Golden Bears, including a 10-2 record at Taylor Center.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 10-5 overall record, including a 5-4 NSIC record. The Mavericks went 1-1 during their last two games as they fell to Augustana 85-70, before defeating Wayne State 87-78 at Taylor Center.
As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 83.8 points and 36.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.5% from the field. MSU has also passed out 201 assists and has tallied 53 blocks.
Sophomore
Joey Witthus is averaging a team-leading 16.2 points per game, while senior
Jon Fuqua has posted 15.7 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds a game.
Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 340-138 (.711) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 4-12 overall record, including a 1-8 NSIC record. CSP has lost its last six games, including a pair of losses to Wayne State (71-51) and Augustana (84-76) at home last weekend.
As a team, the Golden Bears are averaging 70.6 points and 35.0 rebounds a game. CSP is shooting 40.3% from behind the three point line and has passed out 242 assists.
Bryndan Matthews is leading the Golden Bears with an average of 14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Diallo Powell is averaging 11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds a game as well.
Concordia- St. Paul is coached by Joey James, who is in his third season with the Golden Bears. He owns a 36-39 record at CSP.
