SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Minnesota State's second-half comeback fell short Saturday evening at the Sanford Pentagon as Northwest Missouri State ended MSU's season by the score of 82-60.

With the loss, the Mavericks end their season with a 22-10 record. With the win, the Bearcats improve to 27-5 and will face the winner of the game between Augustana and Nebraska-Kearney in the NCAA Central Region Championship on Tuesday.

The first half saw Northwest Missouri State lead throughout as it jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead with 17:58 to go in the half. The Mavericks managed to get back within six of the Bearcats at 17-11 with 14:34 to go in the half, but it would be all NWMSU after that as it closed out the first half outscoring the Mavericks 31-18 to take a 48-29 lead into the locker room.

Junior Jon Fuqua led MSU in the first half with 15 points and five rebounds as he went a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line.

As a team, MSU shot 30.4% from the field in the first half, compared to a 14-of-15 (.933) showing from the charity stripe.

Justin Pitts led all scorers in the first half with 24 points as he went 10-of-12 from the field in the opening session. As a unit, the Bearcats went 19-of-26 (.731) from the field in the first half, including a 6-of-9 (.667) performance from behind the arc.

The second half saw the Bearcats holding a 15-point lead at 58-43 11:59 to go in the game. MSU then put together an 11-4 run, which included seven points from senior Jalen Pendleton , to pull within eight of NWMSU at 62-54 with 8:05 left in the game.

The Mavericks would not get any close to the Bearcats through the final eight minutes as Northwest Missouri State finished the game outscoring the Mavericks 20-6 down the stretch to claim an 82-60 win.

Pendleton finished the game with a team-leading 22 points and eight rebounds, while Fuqua notched 17 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Cole Harper added eight points and six rebounds of his own as well.

As a team, MSU shot just 38% from the field, including a 2-of-10 showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks were able to cash in on the majority of their trips to the line as they hit on 20-of-24 (.833), which included a 9-of-9 performance from Fuqua.

Pitts led all scorers as he netted 38 points as he shot 16-of-21 from the field. Connor Crooker notched 18 points and four rebounds for the Bearcats as well. As a team, Northwest Missouri State shot 65.4% from the field, including an 8-of-15 (.533) showing from  long range.



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