Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The #14 Minnesota State men's basketball team won its second straight NSIC Tournament championship Tuesday as it downed Winona State 75-66.
With the win, MSU improves to 29-4, while WSU falls to 26-7. MSU's 29 wins set a new single-season record for wins in a season.
Three Mavericks received NSIC All-Tournament honors for their efforts including junior
Zach Monaghan, junior
Assem Marei and senior
Gage Wooten. Monaghan received tournament MVP honors as well.
Monaghan led all scorers with 24 points, to go along with five assists. Senior
Connor O'Brien notched his 15th career double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Marei posted his 17th career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
As a team, MSU shot 52.1% (25-of-48) from the field. The Mavericks also brought down 45 rebounds and registered eight blocks.
Riley Bambenek led WSU with 19 points, while Mark Blacklock notched 16 points and eight rebounds.
MSU controlled the pace throughout the majority of the first half as it led by as many as 11 points. Winona State managed to take the lead at 14-13 with 6:27 to go in the half, but the Mavericks would close out the half on a 21-10 run to take a 34-24 lead into the locker room.
Monaghan led all scorers with 12 points and three assists in the first half, while O'Brien posted 11 points and seven rebounds.
As a unit, MSU shot 12-of-24 (.500) from the field in the first session. The Mavericks also brought down 22 rebounds and passed out seven assists.
Mark Blacklock led the Warriors in the first half with 10 points.
The Mavericks led by double figures through most of the second half. Winona State was able to pull to within six points of MSU on tow occasions, but each time the Mavericks would respond as they closed out the game with a 75-66 win.
The Mavericks will learn their postseason fate Sunday at the NCAA Selection Show. The selection show is schedule to begin at 9:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
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