SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- It came down to the final minute Monday afternoon at the Sanford Pentagon but a three pointer from Justin Eagins with 45.6 seconds to go proved to be the difference as the Mavericks bested Southwest Minnesota State 68-67.

With the win, MSU improves to 28-2 on the season. With the loss, SMSU drops 19-12 on the season. The Mavericks will take on the winner of the game between Minnesota Duluth and Winona State in the NSIC Tournament Championship on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

This marks the fifth time that MSU has advanced to the NSIC Tournament Championship, with the previous four times coming in 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2020.

The first half saw the Mavericks lead throughout as they led by as many as 13 points before taking a 34-21 lead into the locker room. Back-to-back threes from Malik Willingham and Kyreese Willingham set the tone early as the Mavericks built a 15-5 lead with 14:40 to go in the half. The Mavericks would still lead by nine at 20-11 with 9:56 remaining in the half.

The final 9:38 of the first half saw the Mavericks increase their lead to 13 as they outscored the Mustangs 14-10 as MSU carried a 34-21 lead into halftime. Kyreese Willingham netted seven of MSU's 14 points during the final nine minutes of the half.

Kyreese Willingham led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, while Justin Eagins added 10 points. As a team, MSU shot 41.4% from the field in the opening stanza.

Jakob Braaten led the Mustangs in the first half with six points, while Jake Phipps hauled in six rebounds. As a team, SMSU shot 26.7% from the field in the first half.

The second half saw the Mavericks build their largest lead of the game with 18:15 to go as a three pointer from Elijah Hazekamp put the Mavericks up by 16 at 42-26. SMSU would then respond with a 12-0 run over the next two minutes to cut MSU's lead to four at 42-38. The Mavericks were able to rebuild their double-digit lead with 8:58 to go as a layup from Kyreese Willingham gave the Mavericks a 56-46 lead.

The Mavericks still led by 10 at 65-55 with 4:15 to go but the Mustangs then went on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 65-65 with 1:02 to go. Then with 45.6 to go, Eagins took a pass and dribbled to his right just before hitting a clutch three pointer to put MSU up 68-65. The Mustangs answered to get with a layup from Dunwa Omot to get back within one at 68-67 with 35 seconds left.

The Mustangs forced a turnover on MSU's next possession with seven seconds left but then as scramble for the loose ball saw the final seconds tick off the clock as MSU held on to the 68-67 win.

Eagins and Kyreese Willingham led the Mavericks with 18 points. Eagins shot 4-of-7 from three point range and passed out four assists. Malik Willingham tallied 15 points and seven rebounds and he now ranks sixth on the MSU all-time scoring list with 1,607 career points.

As a unit, MSU shot 45.3% from the field, including a 12-of-25 (.480) from three point range. The Mavericks also scored 16 points off of 13 SMSU turnovers.

Kyle Luedtke led the Mustangs with 13 points, while Omot, Cliff Cofield and Aeron Stevens each recorded 10 points.

As a team, SMSU shot 37.7% from the field and 13-of-15 (.867) from the line. The Mustangs also hauled in 39 rebounds.