MANKATO, Minn. --- There was plenty of drama to go around Friday evening in Taylor Center between Minnesota State and Northern State, but it was the Mavericks that came out on top in double overtime as they claimed a 119-115 victory.
With the win, MSU improves to 15-6, including a 10-5 NSIC record. With the loss, NSU falls to 12-9, including an 8-7 conference record.
After 40 minutes of play nothing was decided as the Mavericks and Wolves were knotted up at 94. Northern State's Mack Arvidson, who tallied a team-leading 37 points, hit a three with 20 seconds remaining, which ultimately forced overtime.
In the first overtime session, neither team led by more than a basket. With 1:09 left in the first overtime, both teams were knotted up at 115. MSU would then take the lead as senior
Jalen Pendleton connected with junior
Jon Fuqua for a dunk to put the Mavericks up 107-105 with 43 seconds to play.
Arvidson would respond with 26 second left as he connected on a layup to pull even with the Mavericks at 107. MSU could not get its last shot to drop and the game would go into a second overtime.
As in the first overtime session, neither team led by more than a basket in the second overtime period. With just 1:20 to go, the score was tied at 115 after Fuqua connected on one of two free throw attempts. Finally, with 47 second to go, the Mavericks took the lead for good as Fuqua connected on a layup to put the MSU up 117-115.
NSU would miss its next shot, which ultimately led to Pendleton connecting on two free throws to ice the game in favor of the Mavericks at 119-115.
Pendleton finished his night with a season-high 42 points, to go with eight assists and six rebounds. Pendleton is the first Maverick since Jamel Staten to record more than 40 points in a game. Staten netted 41 points against Minnesota Duluth during the 2004-05 season.
Fuqua had an exceptional night as well as he posted a season-high 29 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Fuqua finished his night shooting 13-of-18 from the field. Junior
TJ Okafor notched 10 rebounds as well, just one shy of his career-high, while sophomore
Alex Herink added 14 points off the bench.
As a team, MSU shot 57.1% from the field, including an 8-of-16 showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also held an advantage on the glass as they hauled in 41 rebounds, compared to 35 rebounds by the Wolves.
Arvidson led the Wolves with 37 points, while Skye Warwick notched 28 points of his own. As a team, NSU shot 55.6% from the field, as it passed out 20 assists.
MSU's double overtime win over the Wolves marks its first double overtime victory since 2007 when the Mavericks defeated Minnesota Duluth 86-81.
Minnesota State wraps up its short homestand Saturday as it hosts #3 MSU Moorhead. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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