MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team continues play in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament on Sunday as it takes on Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Minnesota State History: The 2016-17 season marks the 95th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,311-878 (.598) in 2,189 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 last 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.
NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament: The Mavericks take on Concordia-St. Paul in the second round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament this Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Should the Mavericks defeat the Golden Bears, MSU will take on the winner of the game between Upper Iowa and St. Cloud State on Monday, at 5:30 p.m.
MSU History at NSIC Tournament: Minnesota State owns a 14-5 record in the NSIC Tournament since joining the league during the 2008-09 season. MSU has won at least one game in seven trips to the tournament, including a pair of NSIC Tournament Championships in 2013 and 2014.
About Our Last Outing: Minnesota State defeated the University of Mary 87-78 in the opening round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament this past Wednesday at Taylor Center. The Mavericks now own a 20-9 overall record.
As a team, the Mavericks shot 50.8% from the field against the Marauders, including an 11-of-27 (.407) showing from behind the arc. MSU also passed out 17 assists, while the Maverick bench chipped in with 35 points.
Senior
Aarias Austin matched his season-high with 25 points as he went 8-of-15 from the field and 5-of-6 from the line, while passing out seven assists. Senior
Jon Fuqua added 17 points and eight rebound as well, while junior
Charlie Brown and freshman
Cameron Kirksey added 13 points and 12 points off the bench, respectively.
Against the Golden Bears: Sunday's game between the Mavericks and the Golden Bears marks their 29th all-time meeting, with MSU holding a 21-7 series advantage. MSU has won its last five games against CSP, including a pair of wins earlier this season.
Senior
Jon Fuqua has averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game against Concordia-St. Paul this season. Senior
Aarias Austin is adding 16.5 points and 3.0 assists a game against CSP, with sophomore
Joey Witthus posting 14.0 points and 5.5 rebounds a game as well.
As a team, MSU is averaging 81.0 points and 37.0 rebounds a game vs. CSP. The Mavericks are also shooting 46.2% from the field.
Head coach
Matt Margenthaler owns a 20-5 overall record against Concordia-St. Paul.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 20-9 overall record and has won seven of its last nine games, including an 87-78 win against the University of Mary in its recent outing.
As a team, Minnesota State is averaging 78.3 points and 35.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.2% from the field. MSU has also tallied 110 blocks and has passed out 375 assists.
Senior
Jon Fuqua is averaging a team-leading 15.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season, with
Joey Witthus following right behind with 14.0 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. Senior
Aarias Austin is adding 11.6 points and 3.0 assists per game as well.
Matt Margenthaler is in his 16th season as head coach of the Mavericks and currently owns a 350-142 (.711) overall record, to go along with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul owns a 6-24 overall record, including an 86-78 win vs. MSU Moorhead in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.
As a team, the Golden Bears are averaging 70.0 points and 35.1 rebounds per game and are shooting 44.7% from the field. CSP has also passed out 410 assists and has recorded 152 steals.
Bryndan Matthews leads the CSP with 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game this season. Diallo Powell is posting 11.6 points a game and Sam Siganos is boasting 7.2 points and 3.6 assists a game.
The Golden Bears are coached by Joey James, who is third season at Concordia-St. Paul. He owns a 38-51 record.
