ABERDEEN, S.D. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team could not overcome Northern State Wednesday evening in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament as the Mavericks fell to the Wolves 65-62.

With the win, NSU improves to 20-11, while MSU finished its season with a 16-10 record.

The first five minutes in the opening stanza favored the Wolves as they built a 14-7 lead with 14:25 to go in the half. The Mavericks would then respond with a 14-0 run over the next four minutes, which included seven points from junior Kelby Kramer, to go up 21-14.

The Wolves would get back to within two points of the Mavericks on a couple of occasions but MSU would still maintain control of the lead for the rest of the half. Leading 31-27 with 2:23 to go in the half, MSU would  score the final seven points to take a 38-27 lead into the locker room.

Kramer led all scorers in the first half with 10 points, while sophomore Qunicy Anderson tallied nine points. Jacksen Moni led the Wolves in the first half with eight points.

Five minutes into the second half the Mavericks held a 13 point lead at 44-31, but NSU responded with a 9-0 run over the next two minutes to cut MSU's lead to four at 44-40. The Mavericks were able to answer back with a 6-0 run to take a 10-point lead at 50-40 with 9:42 to go.

The Wolves managed to claw their way back over the next six minutes as they eventually tied the game at 55-55 with 3:28 remaining. NSU reclaimed the lead at 59-57 with 2:10 to go in the game and held a four-point lead at 63-59 with :32 left. A three pointer from Anderson brought the Mavericks back to within one at 63-62 with :23 to go, but NSU's Jacksen Moni hit a pair of free throws to put the Wolves back up by three at 65-62. Anderson's three point shot with four seconds left missed the mark as Northern State held on to the 65-62 win.

Anderson finished with 21 points and six rebounds, while Kramer tallied 14 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Kyreese Willingham added 12 points and seven rebounds also.

As a team, MSU shot 44.3% from the field. The Mavericks outrebounded the Wolves 38-28.

Moni led all scorers with 23 points, while Sam Masten tallied 18 points and seven rebounds. 

As a team, NSU shot 40.3% from the field, to go along with an 11-of-12 (.917) performance from the line.


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