MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team opens competition in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament this Friday as it takes on the MSU Moorhead Dragons. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Minnesota State History: The 2020-21 season marks the 99th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,381-922 (.599) in 2,303 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 190-84 (.693) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

The Mavericks made their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 2018-19 season. MSU owns an 18-15 record (.545) in NCAA Tournament play, including a 91-62 loss to Northwest Missouri State in 2019.

Against the Dragons: This Friday's game between the Mavericks and the Dragons will be their 99th all-time meeting with the Mavericks leading the series 65-33. The Dragons defeated the Mavericks 88-63 in Moorhead in their previous meeting last season. This will be the fourth meeting between the Mavericks and the Dragons in the NSIC Tournament, with the Mavericks owning a 2-1 record in their three previous encounters (W, 87-63 in 2013 | L, 81-80 in 2015 | W, 82-79 in 2018).

Junior Kelby Kramer notched 11 points and six rebounds, while sophomore Ryland Holt tallied four points.

As a team, MSU shot 44.3% from the field against the Dragons, including a 23.5% performance from long range.

Gavin Baumgartner led the Dragon offense with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Bryce Irsfeld tallied 13 points and five rebounds.

As a unit, the Dragons shot 49.2% from the field, including a 57.1% showing from downtown. The Dragons also hauled in 44 rebounds and connected on 22-of-29 (.759) shots from the free throw line.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 14-6 record against MSU Moorhead, including a 1-1 record at the Sanford Pentagon.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-6 record including a 9-5 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks swept Concordia-St. Paul on the road with an 86-58 win in game one and a 93-89 win in game two.

As a team, MSU is averaging 79.8 points and 38.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47.6% from the field, including a 39.9% showing from long range. The Mavericks have also passed out 216 assists and have recorded 58 blocks.

Four Mavericks are averaging more than 11 points per game this season including sophomore Quincy Anderson who leads the team with 17.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Junior Devonte Thedford is averaging 14.1 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per game, while sophomore Malik Willingham has tallied 11.4 points per game and a team-best 37 three pointers. Sophomore Ryland Holt is averaging 11.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game also.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 20th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 420-186 (.693).

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the weekend the owner of a 9-3 record, including a 9-1 NSIC record. Last weekend, MSUM split its weekend road series with Northern State. The Dragons fell 90-83 in the opener before defeating the Wolves 93-86 in the finale.

As a unit, MSUM is averaging 84.4 points and 35.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 49.0% from the field and 40.4% from three point range. The Dragons have connected on 103 three pointers this season and have passed out 161 assists

Lorenzo McGhee leads the Dragon offense with 14.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while Bryce Irsfeld has tallied 12.6 points and 3.2 assists a game. Both Dane Zimmer and Gavin Baumgartner have tallied 12.3 points a game this season, with Baumgartner hauling in a team-best 5.4 rebounds a game.

Chad Walthall is in his 11th season as head coach of MSU Moorhead. He owns a 340-173 record in 18 seasons as a head coach, including a 220-105 record with the Dragons.