Anaheim, Calif. --- The fifth-rated Minnesota State men's basketball team opened its 2013-14 season on a high note on day one of the CCA Tipoff Classic as it cruised past the Texas A&M International Dustdevils by the score of 83-60.
 
With the win MSU now stands at 1-0 on the season, while the Dustdevils fell to 0-1.

The Mavericks were guided by the two-pronged attack of senior Gage Wooten and junior Assem Marei as they accounted for 42 of MSU's 83 points on the day. Wooten established a new career-high as he poured in a game-high 22 points, while shooting 8-of-9 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the line. Marei notched 20 points on the day to go along with a game-high eight rebounds and three steals.

MSU jumped out in front quickly as it went up by 11 at 20-9 with 11:05 left in the opening frame. The Maverick offense continued to click through the final 11 minutes of the first half as it outscored the Dustdevils 25-12 to take a 45-21 lead into the locker room.

Wooten and Marei paced the MSU offense in the first half with 14 and 13 points, respectively, to go along with six rebounds apiece. As a team, the Mavericks connected on 18-of-31 (.581) shots from the field in the first half.

The Dustdevils managed to pull within 15 of the Mavericks at 53-38 with 14:31 left in the game, but that was as close as they would get as MSU outscored TAMIU 30-22 the rest of the way to secure the 83-60 win.

As a team, the Mavericks connected on 28-of-50 (.560) shots from the field, while out-rebounding the Dustdevils 43-24. TAMIU shot just 36.8% from the field and turned the ball over 15 times.

Matthew Culliver Jr. paced the Dustdevil offense with 17 points, while Jamie Farrie led TAMIU with six rebounds.

MSU continues play in the CCA Tipoff Classic Saturday as it takes on the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. The opening tip is set for 11 a.m.

                                                                    -30-