St. Cloud State
2-3,1-0NSIC
RV Minnesota State
5-3,0-1NSIC
Hard-Nosed Defense Props Huskies to Conference Opening Win over Minnesota State
11/26/2025 1:44:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Defense holds Mavericks to 29% from the field, 12.1% from three
Mankato, MN. – St. Cloud State Men's Basketball (2-3, 1-0 NSIC) excelled on the defensive end as they captured a 73-53 win over Minnesota State in their conference opener. The stifling defense by the Huskies forced 11 turnovers and held the Mavericks to 29% from the field and 12.1% from three.
The first six minutes of the game was a defensive battle as neither team could find an offensive rhythm. A three-pointer by Azayah Washington gave St. Cloud State a narrow 9-6 lead at the 13:28 mark of the first half. The two teams continued to trade buckets as SCSU led 15-12 with 9:46 left in the half. Bob Griechen then checked in for the Huskies and served as a major spark plug on the offensive end. Griechen scored the next six points for SCSU with all coming in the paint. The bully ball spurt by Griechen served as a 6-2 run and led to a timeout from Mankato as St. Cloud State now led by seven points. SCSU held that lead for the remainder of the half as they went into the break leading 28-22 with Griechen accounting for eight points.
Out of the break, the Huskies maintained their lead as they held a 32-26 advantage at the 15:47 mark of the second half. Continuing to be a catalyst, Griechen went on a 7-2 run as a three pointer on the wing pushed the lead up to 11 points. Following a defensive stop, Anish Ramlall collapsed the paint and dished it out to an open Will Brands in the corner who cashed a three, putting SCSU up 14 with 11:54 remaining. The Huskies continued to hum offensively as they shot 48.3% from the field in the second half. St. Cloud State would lead by 12+ points the remainder of the game with their biggest lead spotting at 23 points. SCSU would go on to win 73-53 as they blanketed the Mavericks offense in their conference opening win.
Top Huskies
- Bob Griechen scored 15 points off the bench while shooting 7/13 from the field.
- Anish Ramlall totaled 15 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
- Wyatt Hawks tallied 11 points while going 9/10 from the free throw line. Hawks also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots.
Notables
- St. Cloud State is now 100-96 all-time against Minnesota State.
- The Huskies led the game in field goal percentage (40.6-29.0), three-pointers made (6-4), free throws made (15-9), rebounds (49-44), assists (10-7), steals (8-6), points in the paint (34-24), second chance points (19-13), fast break points (6-5), and bench points (30-20)
- Azayah Washington scored in double figures as he notched a career-high 12 points. Washington shot 5/12 from the field and grabbed three rebounds.
- Kynan Philippe commanded the glass with 10 rebounds, four of which were offensive. He also scored seven points and recorded two assists and a steal.
- Lee Marks III tallied four points and seven rebounds to go with a career-high four steals.
- Nate Dahl compiled six points, eight rebounds, and an assist.
- Will Brands totaled three points and two rebounds and assists to go with a steal.
Up Next
St. Cloud State be back in action on Saturday, November 29 as they play Minnesota Crookston in their home opener. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at Halenbeck Hall.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Men's Basketball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
