ST. PAUL, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team did most of its damage from long range Tuesday evening as it bested Concordia-St. Paul 95-66.
With the win, MSU improves to 16-4, including a 12-2 NSIC record. With the loss, CSP falls to 3-17, including a 2-12 conference record. MSU has now won its last four games.
The Mavericks wasted no time early on in the first half as MSU jumped out to a 23-3 lead with 14:11 to go in the half. Sophomore
Kevin Krieger notched 10 points, including a 3-of-3 performance during that stretch, while senior
Chris Kendrix tallied seven points.
The Mavericks continued to pour it on as they finished the first half shooting 21-of-40 (.525) from the field, including a 12-of-16 (.750) performance from three point land. MSU also passed out 18 assists in the first half as it carried a 60-32 lead into the locker room. Minnesota State's 60 points are the most it has scored in the first half this season.
Krieger proved to be lethal from long range in the first half as he finished with 16 points, behind a 5-of-6 performance from three point land. Kendrix added 12 points and five rebounds, while sophomore
Cameron Kirksey chipped in with nine points and four rebounds.
Bryndan Matthews led the CSP offense in the first half with 11 points and eight rebounds. As a team, the Golden Bears shot 37.9% from the field in the first half. They also cashed in on 9-of-11 (.818) attempts from the free throw line.
With less than 10 minutes to go in the second half, the Mavericks led by 32 at 77-45. CSP managed to get back within 25 at one point but it would get no closer as the Mavericks closed out the game with a 95-66 win.
A total of 10 Mavericks reached the scoring column in their win over Concordia-St. Paul. Kendrix finished his night registering his third double-double of the season as he tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds. Krieger led all scorers with 18 points, to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Senior
Charlie Brown notched 12 points and six assists in the win, while Kirksey tallied 11 points. Junior
Carlos Anderson posted 11 points and three assists off the bench.
As a team, MSU shot 47.2% from the field, including a 15-of-28 (.536) performance from long range. MSU's 15 three pointers are the most in a game this season. The Mavericks also passed out a season-high 24 assists, while forcing 23 CSP turnovers.
Ted Brown led the Golden Bears with 13 points and six rebounds. Matthews finished with 11 points and nine rebounds as well. As a team, CSP shot 41.0% from the field.
Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center on Friday as it plays host to the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
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