MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens the 2022 calendar year this Sunday as it hosts the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., at Taylor Center.

Minnesota State History: The 2021-22 season marks the 100th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,390-927 (.599) in 2,317 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 193-88 (.686) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Golden Bears: Sunday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 39th meeting between them, with MSU leading the all-time series 31-7. MSU has won its last 15 encounters with the Golden Bears, including an 81-66 road victory earlier this season.

Junior Devonte Thedford led the Mavericks against the Golden Bears with 21 points and four assists, while both sophomore Malik Willingham and freshman Brady Williams each tallied 16 points. Sophomore Quincy Anderson added 15 points also, while junior Kelby Kramer hauled in eight rebounds.

Marcus Skeete recorded 16 points for the Golden Bears, while Jacob Everson and Ian Sluice each posted nine points.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 30-5 record against Concordia-St. Paul, including a 14-2 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 9-4 record, including a 3-4 NSIC record. During its most recent outings at home, MSU bested both Sioux Falls (81-63) and Dakota State (82-73), but fell to Southwest Minnesota State (71-69) in overtime.

As a team, MSU is averaging 80.2 points and 38.4 rebounds per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. The Mavericks are also shooting 31.1% from three-point range and have passed out 135 assists and blocked 73 shots.

Sophomore Quincy Anderson is leading the Mavericks with 17.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season. Junior Devonte Thedford has tallied 12.9 points per game and is shooting 53.4% from the field. Freshman Brady Williams is averaging 12.5 points a game also, while sophomore Malik Willingham has posted 9.0 points per game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 21st season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 429-191 (.691).

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-12 record, including a 0-7 NSIC record. CSP has lost its last 12 games, including a pair of losses against Southwest Minnesota State (83-70) and Sioux Falls (80-69) in its most recent outings.

As a unit, CSP is averaging 65.5 points and 32.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.3% from the field and 31.3% from three point range. Concordia-St. Paul has also passed out 192 assists but has committed 197 turnovers.

Elijah Ormiston is leading CSP with 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds a game this season, while Marcus Skeete has notched 12.5 points and 5.7 rebounds a game.

Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Matt Fletcher who is in his second season with the Golden Bears. He owns a 2-25 record with CSP and a 78-58 overall career record.