Spartans Off to 8-0 Start with 91-50 Road Win over Mesabi Range

The M State Men's basketball team scored 50 first half points to take a 50-24 halftime lead and allowed just 50 points to Minnesota North College-Mesabi Range as they defeated the Norse by the score of 91-50 on Friday night in Virginia, improving their season record to 8-0.  The will play the second of back-to-back games at 3:00pm Saturday against Vermilion in Ely.

Foday Sheriff led four players in double figures, hitting 9-of-14 field goal attempts, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc to finish with 26 points.  He also grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 3 assists.  Yonis Mohamud contributed 15 points, 7 assists, 5 steals and 3 rebounds.  Tyson McArthur had 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 blocked shots, and Mason Muir scored 11 points, distributed 5 assists and secured 5 rebounds, while coming away with a pair of steals.

M State shot 43% (36-84) from the field and made 30.l6% (11-36) of their 3's.  They also pulled down 52 rebounds compared to 41 for Mesabi Range.  The Spartans took excellent care of the basketball with only 11 turnovers, while forcing 22 turnovers by the Norse.

Mesabi was led by 14 points from Leonard McClain.  Izeon Aaron scored 12 off the bench and Gideon Hulse snagged a team high 9 rebounds.