Mason, Mavericks trip up Roadrunners, advance to region championship

Jefferson Mason put up 25 points and pulled down 9 rebounds as Minnesota State defeated Metro State 69-65 in the semifinals of the NCAA central region tournament.

The first half was marred by bad shooting from both teams. Minnesota State shot only 31% from the field while Metro State didn't fair any better, shooting only 30%. With both teams struggling, neither team had a chance to make a significant run. Metro State claimed the largest lead of the first half when they went up 22-17 on two Shakir Johnson free throws. The Mavericks were able to come back and tie the game at 27-27 heading into halftime.

The second half started off much like the first. Both team traded buckets, with neither taking a decisive advantage through the first ten minutes of the second half. The turning point in the game came when Taylor Marrow drained a three pointer with 12:12 left to tie the game at 44-44. Morrow's bucket brought both the home crowd, and MSU's offense to life. The Mavericks then went on a 12-2 run, turning a five point deficit into a five point lead.

Metro State continued to battle and had a chance to tie the game with 14 seconds left as Reggie Evans stepped to the freethrow line for the Roadrunners. Evans then missed both free throw attempts. Jefferson Mason pulled down his ninth rebound and was fouled to seal the victory for MSU. Jefferson Mason added two free throws to finish the game with 25 points, and extend the Mavericks lead to the eventual final of 69-65.

The Mavericks will now move on to face Fort Lewis in the central region championship game on Tuesday night at 7:00pm. Of course we'll have that for you right here on AM 1230 The Fan Mankato. Also, don't miss the MSU coach's show with Matt Margenthaler Monday night at 7:00pm live from Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Mankato.

Hodges, Mason Tame Wildcats, Mavericks Advance in NSIC Tournament.

Cameron Hodges lead the way with 22 points, as Minnesota State took down Wayne State 70-60 in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.

The game started off with a back and forth first half. MSU opened the game with a a 7-0 run to start the game, forcing Wayne State to call an early time out to regroup.

Wayne State came out of the time out and went on a 7-0 run of their own to tie the game at 7-7.
Brad Starken then used the 3 ball, hitting 4 of 6 from the field in the first half to open a 30-22 lead for the Wildcats.

The Mavericks then went on 8-0 run to tie things up at 30-30 with 2:20 left in the first half. The Mavericks Cameron Hodges ended the first half with and exclamation point, rejecting a shot on the defensive end and finishing with a monster dunk to put MSU up 36-33 at halftime.

Coach Schott chatted with The Fan's Casey Lloyd at halftime. " We were a little out of sync offensively at times and defensively no where to be found for a stretch" said Schott. "Offensively we need to move the ball around a little more, at times we were a little stagnant and just watching each other".

The second half didn't start with the same spark as the first, with both teams going cold from the field. There was only 3 points scored between the two teams in the first 4:39 of the second half. The lead changed hands a couple of times in the second half, but after taking the lead 50-48 with 9:07 left, MSU pulled away finishing with the 70-60 win.

Cameron Hodges had a great game for MSU, leading all scorers with 22 points and pulling down 8 rebounds.

Jefferson Mason finished with a career high 17 rebounds and 14 points which was good for his 8th double-double of the season.

The Mavericks will play Winona State Saturday at 2:30pm at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul.

Click below to hear coach Margenthaler's post game interview with The Fan's Casey Lloyd.