By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO — The Minnesota State men’s basketball team has been unbeatable at home this season, but in order to get more games at Bresnan Arena in the postseason, the Mavericks are going to have to get victories on the road.
“I think this is a great road team,” Mavericks coach Matt Margenthaler said. “It’s a special team, and we love to play at home.”
The Mavericks wrapped up a four-game homestand Saturday with a 92-73 victory over Minnesota State-Moorhead in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate game. It was the 14th home victory for Minnesota State, which is averaging 93.9 points and a winning margin of 25.9 points at Bresnan Arena.
“Moorhead played us tough,” senior center Travis Nelson said. “But we stepped up when we needed to. We needed a closer game like this.”
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Mavericks (21-1, 14-1 in Northern Sun) have a two-game lead in the conference race and could clinch the Northern Sun title next week. But the schedule includes road games at Concordia-St. Paul, St. Cloud State, Southwest Minnesota State and Mary, all teams that are in the top seven in the conference.
The lone remaining home game comes Feb. 24 against third-place Augustana, the only team to defeat the Mavericks this season.
If, or when, the Mavericks clinch the Northern Sun title, that will bring the conference tournament to Mankato, which means at least one more home game, possibly three. If the Mavericks are to host the regional tournament, they might have to win the next eight games to overtake Mesa State, the top-rated team in the Central Region.
“We want (the tournaments) at home, but it’s important that we continue getting better and get the highest seed possible,” Margenthaler said.
On Saturday, Minnesota State-Moorhead was the more aggressive team in the first 10 minutes, leading by 10 at one point, but the Mavericks’ defense, which created six steals, led the comeback for a 42-37 lead at halftime.
Travis Nelson had 15 points at the break, and Jefferson Mason scored 11, using a blocked shot and two steals to get breakaway dunks.
The Dragons took the lead four times in the second half, but over the last 13 minutes, Minnesota State outscored their opponent 33-14.
“Every team’s going to give us their best shot,” Margenthaler said. “Moorhead did that, and we still won handily at the end. We were trying to make great plays when we just needed to make a bunch of good plays and be consistent.”
Nelson had 24 points and eight rebounds, and Mason had 18 points, four assists and five steals. Cameron Hodges had 12 points and nine rebounds and Jesse Clark added 14 points, six assists and three steals.
Minnesota State, which has won 20 or more games the last six seasons, forced a season-high 27 turnovers and made 14 steals.
The Mavericks play at Concordia-St. Paul on Friday and St. Cloud State on Saturday. Two victories would clinch the conference title.
MINNESOTA STATE-MOORHEAD 73
Novak 3-4 0-1 6, Williamson 8-18 0-0 16, Jake Driscoll 5-9 6-6 19, Chad Thompson 3-6 0-0 7, Nelson 6-8 0-0 14, Olson 0-0 0-0 0, Jordan Driscoll 0-1 0-0 0, Egan 1-1 0-0 2, VanHavermaet 1-3 0-0 2, Andy Thompson 1-2 0-0 3, Conley 0-0 0-0 0, Reed 2-3 0-0 4, Hardy 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 30-56 6-7 73.
MINNESOTA STATE 92
Nelson 8-15 8-10 24, Mason 7-12 3-5 18, Clark 6-8 2-3 14, Davis 4-7 3-3 12, Drapcho 0-2 2-2 2, Hill 2-9 2-3 6, Hodges 5-8 1-1 12, Kirschbaum 0-0 0-0 0, Morrow 2-3 0-0 4, Grundman 0-3 0-0 0, Greeley 0-2 0-1 0. Totals: 34-69 21-28 92.
Halftime: Minnesota State 42, Minnesota State-Moorhead 37. 3-point shooting: Minnesota State-Moorhead 7-17 (Jake Driscoll 3-7, Chad Thompson 1-2, Nelson 2-4, VanHavermaet 0-2, Andy Thompson 1-2), Minnesota State 3-7 (Mason 1-2, Davis 1-2, Hill 0-1, Hodges 1-1, Greeley 0-1). Rebounds: Minnesota State-Moorhead 35 (Novak 9), Minnesota State 33 (Hodges 9). Assists: Minnesota State-Moorhead 18 (Chad Thompson 8), Minnesota State 18 (Clark 6). Steals: Minnesota State-Moorhead 7 (Nelson 3), Minnesota State 14 (Mason 5). Turnovers: Minnesota State-Moorhead 27, Minnesota State 11. Total fouls: Minnesota State-Moorhead 26, Minnesota State 11. Technical fouls: Minnesota State (Mason). Fouled out: Minnesota State-Moorhead (Reed).
Attendance: 1,548.
