MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons men basketball team faced off against the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks on the second night of a two-game road trip. Freshman Alex Novak would supplant himself in the Dragon basketball record books, breaking the single season blocks record. His big game, along with a big first half by the Dragons would not be enough as the Mavericks pulled away late and won 92-73.

The Dragons got out to an early 20-10 lead on the Mavericks after senior Andy Thompson hit a long distance three-point shot that got momentum on the Dragons side. The Dragons and Mavericks would trade scoring runs through out the first half and it would be the Mavericks who led by only five at halftime.

Sophomore Jake Driscoll would spark the Dragons in the second half as he hit three straight three-pointers and Novak contributed with two baskets as the two led the Dragons back and put them ahead 50-49. The Dragons could not hold off the Mavericks but were competitive for much of the game.

Driscoll led the Dragons with 19 points and was 6-6 from the free throw line. Fellow sophomore Dennis Williamson had 16 points along with six rebounds on the night. Senior Jerome Nelson also reached double figures as he tallied 14 points.

The big night belonged to the Dragon's freshman Alex Novak. Novak tallied six points and led the Dragons with eight rebounds. Novak came into the game just needing two block shots to break the single season block record set by Mick Bednarek in 1985. Bednarek had 54 blocks that season and also is the all-time leader in block shots with 112. Novak had six total blocks on the night to set the new record at 58 with five games remaining in his first season.

The loss drops the Dragons to 7-15 on the season (4-11 NSIC). The Mavericks improve to 21-1 on the season (14-1 NSIC). The Dragons return home to face the Bemidji State Beavers on Feb. 12 for Go Pink Night at 8 p.m. They will follow that up with Senior Night Feb. 13 against Minnesota-Duluth.