MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its season this Sunday in the second round of the NSIC Tournament as it takes on St. Cloud State. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

NSIC Tournament: Behind its 15-7 NSIC record, Minnesota State received the #4 seed and a first-round bye in the NSIC Tournament. St. Cloud State received the #5 seed and defeated #12 Bemidji State 68-62 at home in the first round of the conference tournament.

The winner of the game between MSU and SCSU will face the winner of the game between #1 Concordia-St. Paul and #8 Minot State in the semifinals of the NSIC Tournament on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon. 

The finals of the NSIC Tournament will be held on Tuesday, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon.

The Mavericks own a 24-12 record in NSIC Tournament games and have won three NSIC Tournament Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2024.

Minnesota State History: The 2024-25 season marks the 103rd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,467-958 (.604) in 2,425 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. Since joining the NSIC prior to the start of the 2008-09 season, MSU has put together a 245-123 (.665) conference record to go with five regular-season championships and three tournament championships.

The Mavericks won the 2023-24 NSIC regular season championship with an 82-62 win over Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 23. It marked their first NSIC Championship since the 2013-14 season. MSU then went on to win the NSIC Tournament Championship with its 97-77 win over Minnesota Duluth in the finals of the conference tournament.

After defeating Arkansas Tech (75-68), MSU Moorhead (78-55) and Northwest Missouri State (43-42) in the 2024 NCAA Central Region Tournament, Minnesota State advanced to its second NCAA Elite Eight under head coach Matt Margenthaler. Wins over Ferris State (98-70) and West Texas A&M (79-72) saw the Mavericks reach the NCAA Championship game for the first time in team history. MSU would go on to defeat Nova Southeastern 88-85, including the game-winning three pointer from senior Kyreese Willingham with 0.8 remaining, to win its first NCAA DII Championship in team history.
  
Against the Huskies: Sunday's meeting between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State marks their 194th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 97-96. Earlier this season, SCSU defeated MSU 80-75 at Taylor Center, before the Mavericks bested the Huskies 70-52 at Halenbeck Hall.

This will be the second time that MSU and SCSU have faced each other in the NSIC Tournament, with the previous time coming on March 1, 2015. The Mavericks defeated the Huskies 96-74 in the second round of the NSIC Tournament.

Senior Justin Eagins is averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 assists per game against the Huskies this season, while senior Kyreese Willingham has notched 16.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Sophomore Caden Kirkman is averaging 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game also.

Luke Winkel is averaging 15.5 points and 4.0 assists per game against the Mavericks this season, while Lee Marks III has tallied 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds a game. Wyatt Hawks has tallied 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 28-19 record against St. Cloud State, including a 1-0 record at the Sanford Pentagon.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 19-11 record, including a 15-7 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road the Mavericks defeated St. Cloud State 70-52, before falling to MSU Moorhead 81-55.

As a team, MSU is averaging 78.3 points and 36.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.6% from the field and 35.0% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 423 assists and forced 344 turnovers.

Senior Kyreese Willingham is leading the team with 19.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while senior Justin Eagins has notched 15.3 points and 5.0 assists per game. Senior Harrison Braudis is averaging 10.2 points per game, while sophomore Caden Kirkman has tallied 10.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 24th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 507-222 (.695). 

Concerning the Huskies: St. Cloud State enters weekend the owner of a 20-11 record, including a 15-7 NSIC record. The Huskies fell to MSU 70-52, before defeating Winona State 70-65 in their regular season finale. SCSU then bested Bemidji State 68-60 in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.

As a team, SCSU is averaging 75.6 points and 35.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 34.8% from three point range. The Huskies have passed out 372 assists and have forced 407 turnovers.

Luke Winkel is averaging 13.1 points and 3.9 assists per game, while Nate Dahl has posted 11.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Lucas Morgan has tallied 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game also.

St. Cloud State is coached by Quincy Henderson, who is in his third season as head coach with the Huskies. He owns a 42-46 (.477) record.