Photo courtesy of Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State

MARYVILLE, Mo. --- Minnesota State's season ended Saturday evening in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as it fell to Northwest Missouri State 91-62.

With the loss, the Mavericks finish their season with an 18-12 record, while the Bearcats improve to 33-0. Northwest Missouri State will take on the winner of the game between St. Cloud State and Southern Nazarene on Saturday in the second round. In 15 trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Mavericks now own an 18-15 record.

The first half saw the Bearcats lead throughout as they carried a 54-35 lead into halftime. NWMSU shot 17-of-28 (.607) from the field, including a 9-of-16 (.600) performance from three point range, to go along with an 11-of-11 showing from the charity stripe.

The Mavericks shot 44.4% from the field in the opening stanza, including an 8-of-15 showing from three point range. The Mavericks also hauled in 11 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Freshman Quincy Anderson led the Maverick offense in the first half with nine points, as he connected on 3-of-5 shots from the field. Junior Kevin Krieger added seven points as well, while junior Cameron Kirksey and sophomore Frankie Mack each tallied six points.                                          

Joey Witthus led all scorers in the first half with 22 points, while Trevor Hudgins added 10 points and seven assists.

In the second half, the Mavericks managed to cut the lead to 14 with 16:06 left in the game. Five of MSU's first seven points to of the half came courtesy of Kirksey, who became the 40th member of the Minnesota State 1,000 point club in the process.

With just over nine minutes to go, MSU trailed by 16 at 70-54. Northwest Missouri State would then finish the game on a 21-8 run during the final nine minutes to claim the 91-62 win.

Kirksey finished with a team-leading 22 points, while Quincy Anderson notched a season-high 14 points, to go along with three steals. Mack added eight points off the bench as well.

As a team, Minnesota State shot 38.2% from the field, including a 10-of-23 (.435) showing from three point land. MSU also connected on 10-of-12 (.833) shots from the charity stripe.

Witthus led all scorers with 39 points and seven rebounds. Diego Bernard added 20 points as well, while Hudgins tallied 16 points and nine assists.

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