MARYVILLE, Mo. --- The second half proved to be the difference Saturday evening at Bearcat Arena, but it was Minnesota State that was able to come away with the 60-50 win against Northwest Missouri State.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 23-9, while the Bearcats end their season with a 27-4 record. Minnesota State will now take on the winner of the game between Southwest Minnesota State and Missouri Southern State on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Scoring was at a premium in the first half as Minnesota State carried a 22-21 lead into halftime. At the midway point of the half, the Mavericks built a 10-point lead at 15-5 after a layup from junior Anderson.

Trailing by 10, Northwest Missouri State was able to put together a 14-0 run to go up 19-15 with 3:57 to go in the half. Minnesota State was able to bounce back in the final three minutes of the half as it tallied seven points to take a 22-21 lead into halftime. Anderson scored five points in the final two minutes, including a three pointer as time expired.

Anderson led the Maverick offense in the first half with seven points, while sophomore Cameron Kirksey hauled in five rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 10-of-25 (.400) from the field.

Joey Witthus led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, while Chris-Ebou Ndow tallied eight points and seven rebounds for the Bearcats. As a team, NWMSU shot 6-of-25 (.240) from the field, including a 3-of-21 (.143) performance from long range.

The second half saw senior Charlie Brown and Kirksey jump start the offense in the first five minutes as they each tallied six points to put the Mavericks up 34-21 with 15:27 to go. The Bearcats managed to get back within three points of the Mavericks at 44-41 with 6:18 to play, but that was as close as they would get as Minnesota State finished the game outscoring NWMSU 16-9 in the final minutes to lock down the 60-50 win.

Brown led all scorers with 23 points and four assists. All of his 23 points came during the second half. Junior Cole Harper added 10 points, while Anderson added nine points. Senior Chris Kendrix tallied a team-leading eight rebounds as well. 

As a team, MSU shot 51.5% from the field, including a 5-of-11 (.455) showing from long range. The Mavericks also hauled in 34 rebounds.

Ndow recorded a double-double for the Bearcats as he tallied 21 points and 13 rebounds. Witthus finished with 19 points as well.

As a unit, Northwest Missouri State shot 29.1% from the field, including an 8-of-34 (.235) performance from three point range. 


                                                                    -30-