MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its nonconference schedule this weekend as it takes on Domincan on Friday and Fresno Pacific on Saturday in Rohnert Park, Calif. Start times for both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (CST).
Minnesota State History: The 2017-18 season marks the 96th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,311-880 (.597) in 2,193 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 139-55 (.716) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.
The Mavericks made their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. 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.
Previous Encounters: MSU meeting with Dominican this Friday will be their second all-time meeting between them, with MSU winning their only meeting 64-51 back during the 2010-11 season. The meeting between MSU and Fresno Pacific will be their first.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 1-1 record so far this season, including a 90-80 loss to Pittsburg State and a 91-89 overtime win vs. Missouri Southern State last weekend.
Against, PSU sophomore
Kevin Krieger tallied a career-high 24 points, while senior
Charlie Brown notched 12 points and eight assists. As a team, MSU shot 43.3% from the field, and 19-of-24 (.792) from the free throw line.
Four Mavericks reached double-digits in scoring in MSU's overtime win vs. Missouri Southern, including Brown and junior
Carlos Anderson who led the Maverick offense with 22 points and 20 points, respectively. Junior
Cole Harper added five points, seven rebounds and six assists as well. As a team, MSU shot 45.2% from the field and passed out 16 assists, while forcing 11 Lion turnovers.
As a team, MSU is shooting 44.4% from the field this season. The Mavericks have also shot 34-of-42 (.810) from the charity stripe. MSU is averaging 85.5 points and 34 rebounds a game this season as well.
Sophomore
Kevin Krieger leads the Maverick offense with 18.5 points per game, with senior Charlie Brown following right behind with 17 points per game. Junior Carlos Anderson is averaging 14 points per game and junior Cole Harper is averaging a team-best seven rebounds a game.
The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 17th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 352-144 (.709).
Concerning the Penguins: The Domincan Penguins enter the weekend the owners of a 0-3 record, including a 77-74 loss to California State University, Dominguez Hills in their last outing.
As a team, Dominican is averaging 74 points and 32 rebounds a game this season, compared to its opponents 77 points and 35 rebounds a game. The Penguins are shooting 47.8% from the field this season, including a 39.7% showing from three point land.
Jeremiah Gray leads the Penguin offense with 24.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season. Reverend Maduakor is averaging 12.3 points and 5.0 rebounds a game as well.
Domincan is coached by Booker T. Harris, who is in his seventh season. He owns an 86-75 record.
Concerning the Sunbirds: Fresno Pacific enters the weekend the owner of a 1-2 record, including a 93-90 in its most recent outing against Pacific Union.
As a team, FPU is averaging 79.7 points and 30 rebounds a game this season, compared to its opponents 101.7 points and 33.7 rebounds a game. The Sunbirds are shooting 50% from the field this season, and have passed out 16 assists a game.
Sam Burt leads the Sunbird offense with 16 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season. Toby Christensen is averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds a game as well.
CJ Haydock is in his second season as head coach at Fresno Pacific. He owns an 8-22 record.
