Box Score MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State saved its best for the second half Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center as it defeated Winona State 89-85 in its regular season finale.

With the win, MSU improves to 16-9, including a 9-9 NSIC record. With the loss, WSU drops to 15-10, including an 11-9 conference record.

With its 9-9 NSIC record, Minnesota State receives the sixth seed from the NSIC south division and will hit the road to take on the No. 3 seed from the north division in Northern State on Wednesday in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

The first half was close early on as both teams were tied at 12-12 five minutes into the game. WSU was able to put together a 12-3 run over the next six minutes to take a 24-15 lead with 9:23 to go in the half. 

Minnesota State managed to get back within five points of the Warriors at 34-29 with 2:32 to go, but WSU would finish the half on a 9-4 run to take a 10-point lead of 43-33 into the locker room.

The Mavericks came out quick in the second half as quickly cut down WSU's lead to three at 49-46 with 15:49 to go. Sophomore Quincy Anderson notched six points during the first 4:11 of the second half. The Warriors managed to go back up by nine two minutes later but MSU would answer right back with a 9-0 run, including five points from Anderson to knot up the score at 57-57 with 11:46 to go.

The lead would change hands five more times down the stretch as the game went into the final minute with the score tied at 85-85. With :33 left on the clock, freshman Harrison Braudis broke the deadlock with a driving layup to put MSU up 87-85. A WSU turnover forced the Warriors to foul Braudis in the closing seconds, who then hit a pair of free throws with four seconds left to lock down MSU's 89-85 win.

Anderson led the Mavericks with 24 points, behind a 12-of-16 performance from the line. Braudis notch 13 points as well, while freshman Brady Williams tallied 16 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Shawn Hopkins added nine points and four rebounds also.

As a team, MSU shot 57.4% from the field, to go along with a 21-of-29 (.724) performance from the free throw line. The Mavericks also hauled in 32 rebounds.

Alec Rosner led all scorers with 31 points, while Connor Drew tallied 15 points.

As a team, WSU shot 47.5% from the field, including a 10-of-22 (.455) showing from three point range.
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