Concordia University St. Paul Athletics

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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul (3-1) looks to carry a strong non-conference performance into the NSIC opener this Saturday at 4 p.m. against #11 Minnesota State (6-1) at Gangelhoff Center. The Concordia Vet Club will be collecting Toys for Tots at the game, so please bring a new, unwrapped toy or cash donation to support the cause.

Concordia rebouned from its first loss of the season last Saturday to Northwood with a 22-point win over Ferris State on Sunday in the team's top defensive performance of the season.

Five players average in double-figures for Concordia led by juniors Terez VanPelt (16.3) and Cole Olstad (15.3) while the duo also lead the team in assists with 15 and 10, respectively. Concordia also crashes the glass, averaging 42.8 and out-rebounding opponents by 5.3 per game. Three players average at least 6.0 rebounds and five average at least 5.0 rebounds per game.

Concordia has two players averaging double-figures in points and at least 5.0 rebounds per game, Keith Crockett (10.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Cordell Smith (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg).

While Concodia has made two more field goals than the opposition this year, the squad has been lethal from three-point distance, hitting 12 more than opponents through four games including knocking down 12 in back-to-back games last weekend while also outscoring teams from the foul line, hitting 71 free throws to 53 for opponents.

Minnesota State is the defending NSIC Regular Season Overall and South Division Champion along with the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament Champion. The Mavericks reached the NCAA Central Region Championship game last year and entered the 2013-14 season ranked #5 in the NABC Preseason Top-25 while also being picked first in the NSIC Preseason Polls.

The Mavericks have not disappointed, with a 6-1 start to the season including a current 5-game winning streak. While Concordia has five players averaging in double figures, MSU counters with six.

MSU leads the all-time series 14-5 including two-straight wins in a series sweep last year. Prior to last season's sweep, Concordia had won three straight against MSU.