Spartan Men Hold Off Itasca for 3-Point Win

M State had a good shooting night on Friday as they held off a late surge by Minnesota North College – Itasca to record their tenth win of the season, a 91-88 victory over the Vikings.  The Spartans hit 52% (39-75) of their field goal attempts on the way to the win.  James Hamilton registered a double-double (24 points, 11 rebounds) to lead M State.

Hamilton was joined in double figures by Carter Clark with 19 and Leng Akol with a dozen.  Akol added 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.  Braylon Baldwin turned in a solid stat line with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.  Seth Hamilton came off the bench to contributed 9 points.

Itasca hit 40.6% (28-69) of their shots from the field and buried 13-of-32 (40.6%) 3-point attempts.  Robert Anderson scored 19 points off the bench to lead five players in double digits.  He was joined by Travis Campbell with 18, Gohan Sawyer with 14, and Dmareon Manning and Dominique Moore with 10 each.  Victor Estevao just missed double figures, scoring 9 points.  Campbell actually posted a double-double as he gathered in 12 rebounds on the night.  Estavao collected 9 boards as the Vikings won the rebounding battle, 46-42.

M State (10-3) will open MCAC Southern Division play in Worthington on Wednesday night against Minnesota West.