SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team punched its ticket to the NSIC Tournament Championship game Monday afternoon as it bested Minnesota Duluth 79-73 at the Sanford Pentagon.

With the win the Mavericks improve to 17-14, while the Bulldogs drop to 22-9.

The first 10 minutes of the first half saw the Maverick offense firing on all cylinders as they held a 23-17 lead. As a unit, MSU shot 10-of-16 from the field in the first 10 minutes as all five Maverick starters reached the scoring column. Freshmen Ryland Holt and Corvon Seales paced the MSU offense with six points each, while senor Cameron Kirksey passed out four assists.

The Mavericks would continue to extend their lead all the way to 16 points as a jump shot from senior Kevin Krieger put MSU up 39-23 with 3:17 to go. UMD would then respond a 10-0 run to finish the half as MSU carried a 39-33 lead into the locker room.

Seales led the Mavericks with 13 points in the first half, while Krieger added 10. Holt notched eight points and four rebounds also. As a unit, MSU shot 17-of-29 (.586) from the field in the first half.

Alex Illikainen led all scorers in the first half with 21 points and six rebounds. As a team, UMD shot 35.3% form the field in the first half.

By the midpoint of the second half the Mavericks had rebuilt their double-digit lead as a layup from Kirksey put the Mavericks up 62-52 with 9:48 to go in the game. A jumper from Krieger with 5:31 to go put the Mavericks up by 11 at 70-59 with 5:31 to go.

The Bulldogs managed to get back within four points of the Mavericks with 33 seconds to go but they could get no closer at Minnesota State secured the 79-73 win.

The Mavericks were led by Seales who posted a career-high 25 points, which included a 5-of-9 showing from long range. Both Holt and Krieger added 17 points each, while Kirksey notched 16 points and five assists. Sophomore Kelby Kramer hauled in a team-leading nine rebounds also.

As a team, MSU shot a season-best 31-of-52 (.596) from the field. Minnesota State has shot 54.6% from the field during its three NSIC Tournament games. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 41-35 advantage in rebounds.

Brandon Myer led all scorers with 30 points, to go along with 11 rebounds. Illikainen added 29 points and nine rebounds also. As a team, UMD shot 36.6% from the field and was limited to a 7-of-31 (.226) performance from long range.

Minnesota State will take on Northern State in the NSIC Tournament Championship game on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

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