MANKATO, Minn. --- The #9 Minnesota State men's basketball team extended its winning streak to 14 games Saturday as it dropped the Harding Bisons, 97-56, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
With the win, MSU improves to 30-4 on the season, while HU finishes its season with a 15-15 record. MSU head coach
Matt Margenthaler is now tied with Dan McCarrell for the most coaching wins at Minnesota State with 284.
The Mavericks had their long range shooting down as they tied a single-game high with 17 three-point shots made. MSU also set a new single-season record with 293 made shots from behind the arc.
Senior
Tanner Adler added a game-high 24 points, including a 6-of-10 performance from long range. Junior
Zach Monaghan added 18 points and eight assists, while senior
Gage Wooten dropped in 17 points.
As a team, MSU shot 60.7% from the field, and outrebounded the Bisons, 41-18. MSU also passed out 24 assists while shooting 60.7% from long range.
Harding was led by Hayden Johnson who tallied 19 points and five rebounds. Will Francis netted 16 points as well.
Harding may have scored the first basket of the game, but MSU took control of the first session quickly as it jumped out to a 20-9 lead with 12:39 left in the first half. The Mavericks continued to pour it on as they outscored the Bisons 31-15 through the final 12 minutes of the half to take a 51-24 lead into the locker room
Adler led all scorers with 15 points in the first half, while Monaghan added 10 points and five assists.
As a team, MSU shot 67.7% from the field, including an 8-of-13 (.615) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also passed out 14 assists and brought down 21 rebounds compared to HU's eight.
Johnson led the Bisons in the first half with eight points and three rebounds.
The Mavericks maintained at least a 23-point lead throughout the entire second half en route to a 97-56 win.
The Mavericks will take on the winner of the game between Winona State and Northwest Missouri State Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament. Opening tip is set for 7:30 p.m.
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