SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State Mankato's season came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament, as the sixth-seeded Mavericks lost to second-seeded Northwest Missouri State 82-60 on Sunday at the Sanford Pentagon.
Justin Pitts scored a career-high 38 points on 16-for-21 shooting for the Bearcats (27-5), who have won 17 in a row.
"He is maybe the best point guard I've seen since I have been coaching at this level," MSU coach Matt Margenthaler said of Pitts.
Jalen Pendleton led MSU (22-10) with 22 points.
Northwest Missouri State will play No. 1 seed Augustana, the host school, on Tuesday for the Central Region title and a berth in the Elite Eight.
NEWS SERVICES
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Sports
Wolves
Gobert misses Game 2 for Wolves after the birth of his child
The team attempted to find a way to have center Rudy Gobert return from the Twin Cities in time for the game at Ball Arena, but those efforts were unsuccessful given the timing and heavy winds that caused flight delays in Denver.
Sports
Lynx preseason opener wasn't on TV. So a fan streamed it from her seat.
When Schneider saw that the Lynx-Sky preseason game wasn't on TV or the web, she decided to stream it for her X followers from her Target Center seat. The number of fans watching "kept growing and growing and growing."
Twins
Twins resume winning; rookie Woods Richardson pitches a gem
Simeon Woods Richardson wasn't the winning pitcher but could celebrate his best start since joining the Twins. He gave up only one hit and one walk in six shutout innings.
Wolves
Nuggets guard Murray hurls heat pack onto court in frustration
Chris Finch called Murray's act "inexcusable" and "dangerous." Officials didn't see who threw it and added it would have been a technical foul if they had — not an ejection.
Wolves
Ten clutch points: Barkley says 'series is a wrap. Minnesota is better.'
NBA great-turned-TV analyst Charles Barkley gushed about the Wolves at halftime and again after they finished off the 106-80 victory. 'They're gonna sweep the Denver Nuggets.'