DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University men's basketball team (4-1) fended off the Minnesota State University – Mankato Mavericks (2-3) 97-89 in their home opener on Friday evening.
 
How It Happened: Sophomore Toni Rocak was the star of the night posting a much-needed 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field. After leading by 15 at the break, Regis then went on to extend that to 23 points at the midway point of the second half, but Minnesota State never went away.
 
A flurry of baskets from the Mavericks and lackadaisical passing at the end of the game from the Rangers allowed Minnesota State back into the game. The defensive pressure by the visitors in the full-court press forced a couple turnovers RU in the final two minutes that could have cost them the game, but Regis gritted their teeth and were able to settle down and execute their press break leading to layups and a series of free throws to seal the deal. The Rangers capped off their home opener as 97-89 victors.
 
Game Notes: Though Rocak took on much of the scoring load, four others had double-digit scoring nights as well. Junior Brian Dawson poured in 17 points, missing only one shot on the night, finishing 7-for-8 from the floor including a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc, and dishing out a team-high four assists. Senior Christian Little had 15 points (5-13 FG, 5-8 FT), senior Roberto Vercellino (3-10 FG, 5-5 FT) and redshirt-senior Taffy Tela (2-3 FG, 1-2 3-PT, 6-6 FT) each added 11 points apiece.  Vercellino and Rocak shared the team lead with seven boards each. The team finished with a 49.2 field goal percentage (31-63) and shot 47.1 percent (8-17) from three-point land.

Up Next for the Rangers: The men's basketball team will return to the court tomorrow night when they welcome the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds into the Regis Field House at 5 p.m.