MANKATO, Minn. --- #23 Minnesota State came out hard and fast Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium as it defeated #25 Winona State 40-13 to secure a share of the NSIC Championship.

With the win, MSU improves to 9-2 on the season, while WSU falls to 8-3. The Mavericks have claimed their eighth NSIC Championship since joining the league in 2008. MSU also claimed its 10th NSIC South Division Championship as well.

Minnesota State will learn its NCAA Tournament fate on Sunday during the NCAA Selection Show, which will be streamed on NCAA.com at 4:30 p.m. (CST).

The Mavericks shutout the Warriors 31-0 through the first half. The Mavericks scored three touchdowns in the first quarter as junior Shen Butler-Lawson recorded a pair of touchdown runs from 70 and 31 yards out, while senior Nyles Williams caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Hayden Ekern.

In the second quarter Williams caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ekern with 6:40 in the second quarter, before sophomore Damian Chowaniec connected on a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

Winona State got a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter off a four-yard touchdown run from Ty Gavin and a 21-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Paulsen to Jaylen Schleicher. A safety and a 27-yard touchdown pass from Ekern to sophomore DJ Barber would keep the Warriors at bay as the Mavericks finished the game with a 40-13 win.

Butler-Lawson finished with a season-high 159 rushing yards, to go along with two touchdowns. Ekern finished his day with 231 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Williams led the Maverick receiving corps with 93 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Grant Nagel led the Maverick defense with seven tackles, while both sophomore Terrell Hall and junior Max Dahm each posted a sack. Hall also recovered a fumble and recorded an interception. Sophomore Maven Kretche blocked a WSU extra point attempt as well.