MANKATO, Minn. --- On a record setting night, the Minnesota State men's basketball team (8-3, 4-1 NSIC) won against the North Central University Rams (4-8, 0-4 UMAC) 116-72 Tuesday night at Taylor Center.

Both offenses found their groove early with Cameron Kirksey leading the way for the Mavericks tallying 11 points in the first six minutes.  Coming out of the first media timeout, Frankie Mack drilled back-to-back three-pointers to force the Rams to call another timeout as Minnesota State took a 25-15 lead. 

Mack continued his offensive explosion, dropping two more three-pointers and sparking the Mavericks to a seven-minute stretch where the outscored the Rams 27-18.  Minnesota State got a stop, forcing the Rams to turn over the ball, to take a 61-40 lead into halftime. 

The 61 points in a half are the most the Mavericks have scored in a game this season.  Minnesota State shot 58.5% from the floor compared to 46.7% for the North Central and out-rebounded the Rams 21-12.  Mack led all scorers with 14 points while Kirksey finished the half with 11.  Carlos Anderson, Quincy Anderson, and Carter Asche all posted four rebounds in the first half to lead the team.

In the opening minutes of the second half, the Mavericks continued to expand their lead and the offense was punctuated by a pair of slam dunks from Carlos Anderson.  Minnesota State played out the stretch of the game, breaking the school record for three-pointers in a game which had been 17, and getting valuable minutes for a myriad of bench players, ultimately finishing the game with a 116-72 win.

The Mavericks finished the game with a team record 21 three-pointers made and were led in scoring by Mack who finished with 23 points, including six of the three-point shots made.  Five other Mavericks, Carlos Anderson, Kirksey, Asche, Quincy Anderson, and Tre Baumgardner all scored in double digits.  Quincy Anderson also led the team in rebounds with 10, recording a double-double on the night. 

Minnesota State Shot 53.1% in the game compared to 40% from the Rams, and out-rebounded them 50-29.  The 116 points for the Mavericks is the most they have scored since a Jan. 29, 2016 double overtime 119-115 win over Northern State. 

The Mavericks will return to action Sunday, Dec. 30 on the road against Concordia-St. Paul at 4:00 p.m.