ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- Despite overcoming an 11-point deficit in the second half, #17 Minnesota State was unable to come away with the win as the Missouri Southern State Lions defeated the Mavericks 109-103 in double overtime.
With the loss, MSU falls to 1-1 on the season. With the win, MSSU improves to 2-0 on the season.
MSSU controlled the pace through the first half as it carried a 41-32 lead heading into half time. CJ Carr led all scorers in the first half with 17 points, while senior
AJ Patty led the Mavericks with nine points and four rebounds.
With just 10:08 remaining in regulation the Lions led by 11 at 63-52. The Mavericks then went on an 18-7 run over the next five minutes to knot up the score at 70-70 with 4:58 to go in the second half. MSU eventually took a three point lead at 77-74 after a pair of baskets from senior
Aarias Austin and a layup from senior
Jon Fuqua.
MSU held a 78-76 lead with 16 seconds to go in the second half but a layup by MSSU's LJ Ross sent the game into overtime.
The first overtime session saw the Mavericks build a six-point lead at 87-81 with 2:41 to go, which included four free throws from sophomore
Joey Witthus and a three point field goal from Austin. The Lions managed to claw their way back to take a 90-89 lead with 39 seconds to go in overtime. With 25 seconds left, Austin was able to draw the foul, before hitting one of two free throws to knot up the score at 90. MSSU failed to score in the closing seconds which forced a second overtime.
In the second overtime the Lions built a four-point lead at 99-95 with 2:01 left, but a three pointer from Witthus brought the Mavericks back within one at 99-98 with 1:41 to go. The Mavericks would not get any closer as the Lions closed out the second overtime period on a 10-5 run to claim the 109-103 win.
Witthus led the Maverick offense with a career-high 30 points, that was backed up by a 10-of-16 showing from the field. Austin notched 25 points and a team-leading eight assists, while Fuqua notched his eighth career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Patty finished the game with 11 points and seven rebounds as well.
As a team, Minnesota State shot 52.9% from the field. The Mavericks also held a 49-41 advantage on the glass, and passed out 21 assists.
Carr led all scorers with 47 points, while JJ Craitt and LJ Ross tallied 20 points each. Ross also hauled in 13 rebounds for a double-double. As a team, the Lions shot 41.9% from the field and took advantage of 27-of-37 (.730) shots from the line.
Minnesota State continues its nonconference schedule on Friday as it travels to Seattle, Wash., to take on Seattle Pacific. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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