Mankato, Minn. --- For the third time in the last four seasons, the #7 Minnesota State men's basketball team has been selected to host the NCAA Central Region Tournament. MSU will open the tournament Saturday evening as it hosts the eighth seed Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys. The opening tip is set for 5 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2012-13 season marks the 91st campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men’s basketball. The Mavericks are 1,211-845 (.589) in 2,056 games since the program’s inception in the 1920-21 season. MSU capped its 33rd and final season as a member of the NCC in 2008 and owned a 283-267 (.515) record in 550 league games played. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 74-32 (.698) record to go with three regular-season championships.

MSU's History in the NCAA Tournament: The Mavericks are making their 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. MSU owns a 12-9 (.571) in NCAA Tournament play and most recently advanced to the Final Four during the 2010-11 season. For more on MSU's history in the NCAA Tournament go to page 11.

The NCAA Central Region: Minnesota State (26-4) was selected to host the NCAA Central Region Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. The Central Region is made up of teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the Great American Conference (GAC) and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Joining MSU in the regional tournament are No. 2 seed Winona State (24-7), No. 3 seed Augustana (21-8), No. 4 seed Central Missouri (22-7), No. 5 seed Harding (21-9), No. 6 seed Upper Iowa (20-11), No. 7 seed Northeastern State (19-8) and No. 8 seed Arkansas Tech (18-11).


The schedule for the games is listed below:

Saturday
#3 Augustana vs. #6 Upper Iowa (12 p.m.)
#2 Winona State vs. #7 Northeastern State (2:30 p.m.)
#1 Minnesota State vs. #8 Arkansas Tech (5 p.m.)
#4 Central Missouri vs. #5 Harding (7:30 p.m.)

Sunday
Game 5 (#2/#7 vs. #3/#6 at 5 p.m.)
Game 6 (#1/#8 vs. #4/#5 at 7:30 p.m.)

Tuesday
Game 7 (Game #5 winner vs. Game #6 winner at 7 p.m.)

What Just Happened: The #7 Minnesota State men’s basketball team claimed the NSIC Tournament championship Saturday evening with a thrilling 73-68 win over the Bemidji State Beavers.

With the win, MSU improved to 26-4 on the season, while Bemidji State fell to 18-12. With the win, the Mavericks claimed an automatic bid to the NCAA Central Region Tournament.

The Mavericks found themselves playing catch up through most of the second half. Bemidji State held on to the lead through the first 11 minutes of the second half, but a layup from sophomore Assem Marei at the 8:23 mark gave MSU the lead at 59-58.

BSU reclaimed the lead on its next possession, but the Mavericks took the lead for good after a field goal from senior Jarvis Williams with 4:36 left in the game.  Some clutch free throws from Williams and sophomore Jaymeson Moten iced the game for the Mavericks as they claimed the 73-68 win.

Williams, who was named the NSIC Tournament MVP, led MSU in scoring with his second straight 20-point game. He finished 7-of-14 (.500) from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe, to go along with seven rebounds.

Marei added 19 points and seven rebounds, while junior Connor O'Brien posted 11 points and seven rebounds. Both Marei and O’Brien were named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team.

As a team, MSU shot 27-of-59 (.458) from the field and 15-of-18 (.833) from the line. The Mavericks also brought down 38 rebounds.

Lance Rongstad finished with a team-high 20 points for the Beavers, while Mason Walters dropped in 19 points.

Minnesota State opened the first half on an 11-0 run, with seven of the points coming from O’Brien. MSU led by 10 at 20-10 with 7:38 left in the half, but the Beavers would close out the first half on a 24-13 run to take a 34-33 lead into the locker room.

Marei led the MSU offense with 10 points in the first half to go along with four rebounds. O’Brien tallied nine points and six rebounds, while Williams added eight points and two assists.

Dermaine Crockrell led the Beavers with nine points in the first half, while Walters posted eight points.

A Little About Arkansas Tech: The Wonder Boys enter the NCAA Central Region Tournament as the eighth seed having posted an 18-11 record. Arkansas Tech advanced to the Great American Conference tournament finals but fell to Ouachita Baptist 59-54 in the final round.

This will be the first meeting between the Mavericks and the Wonder Boys.
    
The Wonder Boys are led by Willie Kirkland, who is averaging a team-high 13.4 points, to go along with 6.0 rebounds per game. Jared Williamson is averaging 12.3 points per contest, while Will Paul is averaging 10.7 points per game.

The Wonder Boys are coached by Doug Karleskint, who is in his third season at the helm of the men's basketball program at Arkansas Tech.

Series History: This will be the first ever meeting between Minnesota State and Arkansas Tech.

NSIC All-Tournament Honors: Senior Jarvis Williams was named the NSIC Tournament MVP for his efforts in MSU's tournament championship. Through four games, Williams average 15.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and posted two 20-point games against Augustana and Bemidji State.

Sophomore Assem Marei and junior Connor O'Brien were named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team as well. Marei averaged 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while  O'Brien averaged 8.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

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