SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- It came down to the final second Friday evening but a last-second shot from sophomore
Cole Harper gave Minnesota State the 68-67 road victory against Sioux Falls.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 13-6 overall, including an 8-5 record in NSIC play. With the loss, the Cougars fall to 12-9, including an 8-5 league record. MSU's win snapped USF's six-game winning streak.
The second half proved to be a back and forth contest as the lead changed hands five times during the final 20 minutes. USF held an eight-point edge at 36-28 just 10 seconds into the half, only to see the Mavericks go on a 20-5 run during the next nine minutes to go up 48-41.
The Cougars were able to claw their way back into the lead and eventually went up by six at 64-58 with 1:53 remaining. The Mavericks managed to get back within a basket at 66-63 after layups from seniors
Jon Fuqua and
Aarias Austin, but a free throw from USF's Daniel Hurtt put the Cougars up by four at 67-63 with 28 seconds left on the clock.
Eleven seconds later, Austin brought the Mavericks back within one at 67-66 as he connected from long range. On the next possession, USF's Drew Guebert was called for the offensive foul and the Mavericks took over with 18 seconds to go. Austin managed to draw a foul on his shot attempt but he was unable to convert at the line.
Hurtt got the defensive rebound off of the second miss from Austin and was promptly fouled with eight seconds left. Hurtt missed both of his opportunities from the line, the second of which was rebounded by freshman
Cameron Kirksey. Kirksey then passed the ball to sophomore Cole Harper who drove all the way down the court and got the layup to drop giving the Mavericks the 68-67 win.
Fuqua finished with a game-high 20 points, marking the fourth straight game he has reached the 20-point plateau. Austin added 18 points, which included a 4-of-8 showing from behind the arc. Sophomore
Joey Witthus added 11 points and three rebounds as well. Harper finished his night with seven points and three rebounds.
As a team, MSU shot 45.1% from the field and held a 32-29 advantage in rebounds.
USF was led by Guebert, who tallied a team-high 18 points. Hurtt added 15 points and nine rebounds as well. As a unit, the Cougars shot 39.6% from the field, to go along with a 23-of-28 (.821) showing from the free throw line.
The Mavericks continue their road trip on Saturday as they take on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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