Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State claimed the regular season Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship Saturday evening as it defeated the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 85-75.

With the win, MSU finished its regular season with a 22-4 record, including an 18-4 conference record. With the loss, Southwest Minnesota State fell to 16-13, with a 13-9 record in NSIC action. With Winona State’s loss at Augustana, Minnesota State claimed the No. 1 seed in the NSIC Tournament

MSU entered the second half with a five point lead and quickly extended it to 11 as it opened the second frame on an 8-2 run to go up 42-31 with 17:18 left in the game. SMSU managed to get back within five at 42-37, but that was as close as the Mavericks outscored the Mustangs 43-38 the rest of the way to secure the win.

Senior Jarvis Williams made it a memorable senior day as he poured in a team-high 21 points, to go along with five helpers. Williams shot 10-of-15 (.667) from the field as well.

Sophomore Assem Mareiadded 17 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Zach Monaghan posted 12 points and a game-high eight assists. Junior Connor O'Brien also reached double digits as he tallied 12 points.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 61% (22-of-27) from the field, including a mark or 7-of-12 (.583) from beyond the arc. In the second half, MSU shot 22-of-27 (.815) from the field. The Mavericks also passed out a total of 20 assists and brought down 29 rebounds.
Jordan Miller led all scorers with 26 points, while Nick Smith added 15 points.

The first half saw the Mavericks lead through the final 15:46 of the second half as they led by as much as eight points, before entering the locker room with a 34-29 lead.

Williams led MSU with eight points, while Monaghan, and juniors Jimmy Whitehead and Zach Romashko each posted five points.
As a team, MSU shot 14-of-32 (.438) from the field in the first half, including a 4-of-8 (.500) showing from beyond the arc. The Mavericks also dished out nine first-half assists and forced six Mustang turnovers.

Matt Zager led the Mustang scorers with eight points.

With its No. 1 seed in the NSIC Tournament, the Mavericks will host Minnesota, Crookston in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament. The opening tip is set for 8 p.m.
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