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MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team officially begins Year 4 of the Chad Walthall era on Saturday when the Dragons play host to Mayville State in their regular season opener. Game time is 7 p.m. at Alex Nemzek Hall in Moorhead, Minn.

The Dragons will meet Mayville State for a 107th time with MSUM holding a 65-41 edge in the all-time series. MSUM won the last meeting between the two teams in 2011-12, 71-45.

MSUM rolled to an 82-58 win over Augsburg College on Nov. 1 in an exhibition game. Tyler Vaughan's 16 points paced a balanced MSUM attack.

The Dragons finished 19-11 a year ago and 12-10 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. They lost three seniors from a year ago but several players with experience. The team also has several new faces who will contribute right away.

The team returns four players who started at least one game a year ago, led by junior guard Jordan Riewer and sophomore guard Tyler Vaughan.  Riewer averaged 11.3 points per game a year ago while Vaughan averaged 9.9.

Riewer and junior Malik Wood likely will man the point guard spot. Junior Shayden Akason and sophomore Ngijol Songolo are also pushing for time there. Riewer was second on the team in assists with 113 in 2012-13.

Vaughan is back at the two-guard spot with Songolo and junior Evan Holt also  contenders for playing time at that position. Vaughan had 76 three-pointers a year ago. Songolo had a solid game against Augsburg with 13 points in just 15 minutes.

Junior Prescott Williams is likely the starter at the three spot with seniors Tarell Clark and Taylor Filipek providing depth there. Williams had eight points against Augsburg.

Freshman Matt Nelson, who redshirted a year ago, will step in at the four spot with freshman Aaron Lien and sophomore Damien Reinke in the mix for time. All three saw time in the exhibition game.

At the five, sophomore Ben Figini, junior Urbane Bingham and sophomore Isaac Sevlie are in a battle for time. Figini started seven games a year ago for the Dragons. Figini started against Augsburg while Bingham had 12 points in that game.

MSUM will play four nonconference games -- all at home -- before opening NSIC play on Nov. 30 against Northern State.

About Mayville State
The Comets are 2-0 on the year. They earned wins over Canadian Mennonite (100-64) and Crossroads College (99-78) to open the year.  Charlton Wilson leads the Comets at 17.0 points per game, while David Olson is at 14.0 and Michael Lindsay is at 10.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Mayville State is averaging 99.5 points per game so far.  Anthony Burns had nine assists in the first two games for Mayville State. Dan DeWitt is in his second season as Mayville State's head coach.