MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team will wrap up the 2018 calendar year this Sunday as it travels to Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2018-19 season marks the 97th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,344-892 (.601) in 2,236 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 159-62 (.719) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns an 18-14 record (.562) in NCAA Tournament play, including its 60-50 win over Northwest Missouri State, a 74-70 win over Southwest Minnesota State and a 90-83 loss to Northern State last season.

Against Concordia-St. Paul: Sunday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 33rd all-time meeting with MSU leading the all-time series 25-7. MSU defeated CSP 91-72 earlier this season at Taylor Center.

In their earlier meeting at Taylor Center this season, the Mavericks defeated the Golden Bears 91-72, which included a 54-point first half performance by Minnesota State. As a team, MSU shot 46.5% from the field and held a 44-38 advantage in rebounds. The Mavericks also recorded 14 points off of turnovers and the Maverick bench recorded 36 points.

Junior Juwan McCloud led the Maverick offense with 24 points, while freshman Tre Baumgardner recorded 18 points off the bench. Senior Carlos Anderson added 15 points and eight rebounds, while junior Kevin Krieger tallied seven points and 12 rebounds.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 24-5 record against the Golden Bears, including a 10-3 record on the road. MSU has won its last nine games against the Golden Bears dating back to the 2014-15 season.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-3 record, including a 4-1 NSIC record. The Mavericks defeated North Central 116-72 in their most recent outing before winter break.

So far this season, the Mavericks have averaged 84.5 points and 40.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46.9% from the field. MSU has also passed out 168 assists and forced 105 turnovers.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 13 points a game this season, including junior Cameron Kirksey who is averaging a team-best 16.9  points per game, to go along with 5.0 rebounds a game. Senior Carlos Anderson is posting 14.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while junior Kevin Krieger is averaging 15.1 points and a team-high 9.3 rebounds a game. Junior Juwan McCloud is recording 13.5 points and 2.9 assists a game as well.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 18th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 383-156 (.710).
    
Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 5-6 record, including a 0-5 NSIC record. CSP defeated Presentation 84-80 in most recent game before heading into winter break.
 
As a team this season, CSP has averaged 84.1 points and 36.5 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.5% from the field. The Golden Bears have also passed out 174 assists and are shooting 37.2% from three point land.

Bryndan Matthews is leading the Golden Bear offense with 21.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Isaiah McKay is averaging 20.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as well.

Joey James is in  his fifth season as head coach of the Golden Bears. He owns a 48-82 (.369) record at Concordia-St. Paul.