Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State University, Mankato senior Travis Nelson posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots as the Mavericks outdistanced the Northern State University Wolves in the second half to claim a 78-58 victory in both teams' first of two games at this weekend's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Holiday HoopsFest.

The Mavericks are now 4-0 on the season, while NSU slipped to 3-1 overall.  While the game does not count toward the conference standings, it did provide a preview of a Dec. 12 match-up between the two teams.  MSU was picked to finish third in the NSIC preseason coaches poll behind the play of Nelson, the Preseason Player of the Year. 

MSU, which entered the game averaging more than 100 points per game, led from the start despite managing just 36 points in the first half.  The Mavericks built a quick 9-0 lead to open the afternoon, but watched the Wolves clamber back to close the gap to 9-8 just minutes later.

The Wolves kept the game within reach for the remainder of the half and the opening portion of the second half before MSU took off on an 8-0 run to stretch their advantage to double figures at 58-44.  The Mavericks ripped off another 11-2 run later in the half to put the game safely out of reach with under three minutes left to play.  MSU also held the Wolves without a field goal in the final 4:16 of the game.  NSU shot just 38.1 percent (24 of 63) on the night.

Sophomore Alex Thomas came off the bench and converted on 7 of 14 attempts from the floor to pace the Wolves with 14 points in his best performance of the season.  He also had a team-best seven rebounds, four of which came on the offensive side of the court.

Redshirt freshman Collin Pryor added 11 points, while true freshman Marko Filipovic chipped in another 10 points and six boards, but it wasn't enough to overcome three double-figure performances from the Mavericks, who shot the ball at a 45.6 percent clip.

The Wolves take on Minnesota Crookston tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. to conclude their stay at the 2009 HoopsFest.  That game will be played at the Elmen Center on the campus of Augustana College.