SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The second half proved to be decisive for Northwest Missouri State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as the Bearcats rallied to defeat Minnesota State 59-56.

With the win, NMSU advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 24-6 record. With the loss, MSU ends its season with a 24-8 record.

The first half featured some close action early on. Senior Zach Romashko put the Mavericks in from with a three point field goal at 8-7 with 15:54 left in the half. MSU would lead throughout the remainder of the half and would lead by as much as 14 points as it carried a 36-25 lead into the locker room.

Senior Zach Monaghan led the Mavericks with 15 points in the first half as he connected on 6-of-13 shots from the field. He also passed out four assists and hauled in three rebounds. Romashko added 11 points off the bench for the Mavericks as well.

As a team, MSU shot 51.9% from the field in the first half, to go along with a 7-of-15 (.467) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also outrebounded the Bearcats 18-10 in the first session.

Justin Pitts scored a game-high 18 points in the first half, including a half court shot as time expired in the first half. NMSU shot 40.7% from the field in the first stanza.

MSU held a 10-point lead at 45-35 with 12:07 remaining in the game but the Bearcats would claw their way back into the game as they knotted up the score at 51 with 5:50 left.

The Mavericks would retake the lead after a pair of free throws but Northwest Missouri State would take the lead at 54-53 with 3:37 to go in the game after a layup from Lyle Harris. The bearcats would take a three point lead with 1:04 left but a layup from senior Assem Marei and a free throw from Monaghan tied up the score at 56 with 16 seconds left.

The Bearcats able to score the game's final three points as Connor Crooker made it 58-56 with a layup, while Harris added another free throw to give NMSU a three-point lead with two seconds left. Monaghan managed to get a shot off from beyond half court before the buzzer but the shot rattled out as time expired.

Monaghan led the Mavericks with 20 points, to go along with eight assists, while Romashko added 14 points and eight rebounds. Senior Connor Miller tallied seven points, nine rebounds and five assists as well.

As a team, MSU shot 46.5% from the field, to go along with 34 rebounds. The Mavericks also passed out 14 assists, but committed 17 turnovers.

Pitts led all scorers with 29 points, as NMSU shot 49.1% from the field to go along with 10 steals.


 
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