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.

Minnesota State prepares to host NCAA regionals.

NCAA banners continue to be hung as Minnesota State University prepares to play host to the DII NCAA Central Region tournament this weekend. Featuring schools from the Rockey Mountain Athletic Conference and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the tournament will take 8 schools and whittle them down to a single school to represent the central region in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Minnesota State enters the tournament Saturday with the #1 seed, and ranked eighth nationally following a 23-3 regular season. This is the second consecutive season that MSU has hosted the regional tournament.

The Mavericks will square off against the eight-seeded, and perennial foe, Winona State University. Winona State secured a spot in the regional tournament after winning the NSIC tournament last weekend in St. Paul. In that tournament WSU took down Minnesota State 82-74 in the second round en-route to the tournament title.

This will be the fourth time Minnesota State and Winona State have squared off this season, with MSU sweeping the regular season and WSU getting their revenge, bumping MSU in the NSIC tournament.

What to look for:

• Minnesota State's senior guard Marcus Hill has averaged 22 points over the past three meetings with Winona State. Look for Hill to play a large role in this match-up.
• Winona State has dominated the boards in the previous three meetings this season. Minnesota State needs a Kevin Love type performance from their leading rebounder Jefferson Mason to curb WSU's edge.
• Anthony Tucker was recently suspended from WSU for an alcohol related incident as the Warriors prepared for the playoffs. Tuckers replacment, Jon Walburg, has played well so far since taking over, averageing 14 points per game.
• MSU set their season high for attendance when MSU faced off against WSU on January 28th. With Winona State planning on fan buses and the MSU students planning a "white out", the atmosphere should be electric.

The game is scheduled Saturday, 6pm at Minnesota State's Taylor Center. You can hear the game on the home of Minnesota State University basketball, AM 1230 KYSM "The Fan" or on the web at www.msumavericks.com

Tickets are available for $15 reserved seat and $10 for general admission. Youth, seniors, or students (K-12, college students with ID) are only $5. You can purchase tickets in person or online.