News Highlights

Staten leads Mavericks to quarterfinal victory

2006-04-09

By Chad Courrier, Free Press Staff Writer [published in The Free Press, Mankato, MN]

Photo by Pat Christman

Minnesota State guard Tony Thomason (3) scrambled with two North Dakota players during Tuesday's North Central Conference tournament game at Bresnan Arena. The Mavericks won 80-62 to advance to the tournament semifinals Friday at Omaha, Neb.

MANKATO — For two weeks, senior Jamel Staten has struggled, and when he's not on, the Minnesota State men's basketball also has trouble.

On Tuesday, in the first home game for Minnesota State in the North Central Conference tournament, Staten returned to form, scoring 27 points in an 80-62 victory over North Dakota at Bresnan Arena.

"When I first hurt my ankle, I sat out about a week of practice, and I got a little out of shape," Staten said. "I think I came back at a good time."

In the last four games, a combination of an ankle injury and foul trouble has plagued Staten, who has averaged 9.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists - which is far below his season averages of 21.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Before the slump, he was coming off a stretch of five games in which he scored at least 26 points in every game and grabbed nine or more rebounds in four games.

"We asked him earlier this week if he wanted another (cortisone) shot in the ankle, and he said it was OK, he felt great," coach Matt Margenthaler said. "He was moving better, and he's accepting a role where he's screening more to get guys open and get himself open.

"The last two games, he's had more energy, and he's moving better. For him to be effective, he has to move because he's not a guy to post up down low and score that way."

Staten got going early, scoring the first points of the game on an offensive rebound. Midway through the half, Staten made consecutive 3-pointers as the Mavericks took the lead at 15-13.

Minnesota State (22-5) led 24-23 with six minutes remaining, then used a 16-8 to take a double-digit lead in the final two minutes. Seldom-used reserve Nate Swetalla, who played in just 13 games, sank a corner 3-pointer, and the Mavericks maintained a 40-31 lead at halftime. Staten finished the first half with 15 points, making 6 of 10 from the field.

The Mavericks increased the lead to 50-37 midway through the second half before North Dakota made an eight-point streak to close the gap to five points. But backup point guard Tony Thomason made a 3-pointer from the corner, igniting a 19-5 run that made it 69-50 with four minutes remaining.

North Dakota came back, but reserve center Eric Mergen came up with two key offensive rebounds and two baskets in the final three minutes that allowed the Mavericks to stay on top. Minnesota State was 9 of 10 at the free-throw line down the stretch.

"The bench was unbelievable," Margenthaler said. "Nate and Eric were put in tough situations, they haven't played in a long time. Both stepped up and made the plays when we needed them."

Anderson finished with 13 points, but the Mavericks' reserves contributed 19 points, including 12 by Thomason and 10 by Gameli Ahelegbe, who was 8 of 8 at the free-throw line.

"Tony, the last month has been at the top of his game," Margenthaler said. "I think with Andy (Moeller) here, he's watched and learned and he's become a batter player. At first, Tony was upset about not starting, and it takes a while to get into that role. But he's really filled it well."

The Mavericks had a 46-34 rebounding advantage, with Chris Whitfield grabbing 10. In last week's victory over North Dakota, Minnesota State was outrebounded 50-36.

Minnesota State travels to Omaha, Neb., for Friday and Saturday's conference finals. The Mavericks meet regular-season NCC champion and top seed Nebraska-Omaha at 8 p.m. in the second semifinal.

Notes

The Mavericks set a team record for points in a season, raising their total to 2,395 points. The former record was 2,369, set last season. ... With 22 victories, the Mavericks are just one win away from equaling the school record for victories. The 1975-76 team won 23 games.

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