WINONA, Minn. --- It came down to the last second Saturday evening in McCown Gymnasium but it was Minnesota State that would come out on top as it defeated Winona State 69-68.
With the win, MSU improves to 18-8 on the season, including a 13-7 NSIC record. With the loss, WSU falls to 11-13, including an 8-12 conference record.
The Mavericks led throughout much of the first half and were able to build a 14-point lead at 29-15 with 6:34 to go in the opening stanza. Senior
Aarias Austin put MSU by 14 after draining back-to-back three pointers.
Trailing by 14, the Warriors managed to score 10 unanswered points to pull back within four points of the Mavericks at 29-24 with 3:56 to go in the half. WSU took advantage of its trips to the line during that stretch as the connected on all six of their opportunities.
Winona State was able to get back within two points of the Mavericks with 39 seconds to go in the half, but MSU sophomore
Cole Harper gave the Mavericks a four-point lead at 38-34 after connecting on a last second shot before the teams went into the locker room.
As a team, MSU shot 54.2% from the field in the first half, including a 6-of-10 (.600) showing from long range. Austin and freshman
Cameron Kirksey paced the MSU offense in the first half with eight points each.
Winona State shot 45.7% from the field in the first half. The Warriors also took advantage of 10-of-11 (.909) opportunities from the free throw line. Riley Bambenek led all scorers in the first half with 14 points.
The second half saw a total of five lead changes as neither team led by more than seven points in the final 20 minutes. With just over 10 minutes to go in the game, senior
Jon Fuqua knotted up the score at 54-54 after he connected on a layup. WSU then went on a 12-5 run during the next seven minutes to take a seven-point lead at 66-59.
Just 1:35 later the Mavericks knotted up the score at 66 after going on a 7-0 run. Austin tallied five points during that stretch, including two free throws. A layup from Kyle Bauman then gave the Warriors a 68-67 lead with 58 seconds to go. Both teams missed their next shot attempts as the Mavericks took over with 13 second left.
With five seconds left, Fuqua put the Mavericks up 69-68 after he connected on his jump shot. WSU's Isaiah Gray managed to get a last-second shot off as time expired but it missed the mark as MSU came away with the 69-68 road win.
Both Austin led the Maverick offense with 16 points, while Kirksey recorded a season-high 15 points as he went 5-of-5 from the field. Fuqua tallied nine points, including the game-winning basket, and a team-leading six rebounds also.
As a team, MSU shot 46% from the field. The Mavericks also passed out 13 assists and forced 11 turnovers.
Bambenek led all scorers with 28 points, while Gray tallied eight points and eight rebounds. As a team, WSU shot 45.8% from the field.
Minnesota State returns home for its final homestand of the regular season on Friday as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
-30-
