Men's basketball season ends in 96-74 quarterfinal loss to Minnesota State

Sunday, March 1

Sioux Falls, S.D.

2:30 p.m.

St. Cloud State

18-12

Minnesota State University - Mankato

24-6

St. Cloud State

Minnesota State

Photo by: Brad Olson

Men's basketball season ends in 96-74 quarterfinal loss to Minnesota State

3/1/2015 5:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Minnesota State University pulled away from St. Cloud State in the second half to secure a 96-74 quarterfinal win in the 2015 NSIC/Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament Sunday afternoon at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls.

The Huskies finish the season with an 18-12 record. Minnesota State improves to 24-6 and will play Minnesota State University Moorhead in the semifinals on Monday.

Minnesota State jumped out to 7-0 lead to open the game and the Huskies answered with 12 straight points all three's, including three from sophomore guard Scottie Stone (Melrose, Minn.) to take a 12-7 lead six minutes in to the game.

The Huskies took a seven point lead, 23-16 on a layup by junior guard Eddie Alcantara (New York, N.Y.) at 10:44 of the first half. A pair of Zach Monaghan free throws capped a 15-7 Mavericks run and gave MSU a 31-30 lead which they never surrendered.

Minnesota State led 51-45 at the half and outscored the Huskies 45-29 in the second half for the win.

Minnesota State's Assem Marei posted a double double with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

The Huskies were led in scoring by Stone who finished with 19 points, including four three-point baskets. He was seven of 14 from the field and four of ten from three point range. Four Huskies starters finished in double figure scoring.

Huskies Tip-Ins
Junior guard Jordan Poydras (Los Angeles, Calif.) scored 17 points and handed out six assists.

Senior forward Connor Niehaus (Fremont, Neb.) finished his senior campaign with 13 points and six rebounds. He was five of nine from the field and three of six from three-point range.

Alcantara fell one rebound short of a double double as he finished the game with 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Huskies shot 38.5 percent from the field, started the game three of four from three-point range, and finished 11 of 28 for a 39.3 shooting percentage.

The Huskies posted a winning record for the 20^th straight year and first year head coach Matt Reimer debuts his collegiate coaching career with a win.

Mavericks Notes
Six Mavericks scored in double figures led by Marei's 21 points.

Guard Zach Monaghan also had a double double with 15 points and 11 assists.

Mike Busack finished the game with 20 points. Zach Romashko,14 points, , TJ Lake 12 points and Connor Miller ten points rounded out the double figure scoring for the Mavericks.

Minnesota State shot 50.7 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range. The Mavericks were 18 of 23 from free throw line and outrebounded the Huskies 45-31.