MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team put forth a solid showing in the second half Wednesday evening as it defeated Bemidji State 81-71 in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 21-8 on the season. With the loss, the Beavers end their season with a 10-17 record.
The Mavericks saw a pair of players in senior
Jalen Pendleton and junior
Jon Fuqua make their presence felt on the court against BSU. Pendleton finished his night just one assist away from a triple-double as he posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Fuqua finished just one rebound shy of a double-double as he added 23 points and nine rebounds. Combined, Fuqua and Pendleton shot 18-of-37 (.486) from the field.
Sophomore
Alex Herink and freshman
Joey Witthus each chipped in with nine points as well.
As a team, MSU outrebounded the Beavers 51-34. MSU hauled in 21 offensive boards and posted 18 second chance points as well.
BSU also had a pair of players reach the 20-point plateau, including DJ Anderson and Irvin Womack. Anderson finished his night with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Womack netted 20 points.
As a team, Bemidji State shot 40.4% from the field, but shot just 9-of-29 (.310) from the floor in the second half. The Beavers also committed 10 turnovers.
After taking a 36-34 lead into halftime, the Beaver offense went cold in the second half as the Mavericks built a 56-43 lead with 10:03 to go in the game. A layup from Anderson represented BSU's only field goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
MSU maintained a double-digit lead through the next five minutes but the Beavers were able to get back within six points on two occasions. With just 32 seconds left, MSU led BSU 77-71, but free throws from Witthus and Pendleton prevented a comeback as the Mavericks defeated the Beavers 81-71.
MSU will take on the University of Mary on Saturday in the second round of the NSIC Tournament at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
                                                                   -30-
