Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - Ryan Krome scored 16 points and No. 1 seed Southwest Minnesota State put together a fine shooting performance to defeat No. 4 seed Minnesota State, Mankato 77-69 in the semifinals of the Central Region Tournament Sunday night in Marshall.

SMSU improves to 27-6, while MSU finishes its season with a 26-9 record.

“It was an extremely hard fought game,” said SMSU head coach Greg Stemen. “A game like that comes to two or three possessions and I thought our guys turned the momentum and feed off some key defensive plays. We're able to some separation and keep it around a six, seven point lead. It's a grind, they're a very good basketball team and a very difficult team to play against and we had to shoot 55 percent to squeak out a tight eight-point win. It tells you how good of a basketball team they are. I'm really proud of our guys. Two nights in a row they defended their tails off and that's what gave us a chance.”

The win advances the Mustangs to the region championship game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. where they will face No. 7 seed Augustana, who defeated No. 6 seed Winona State earlier in the day to secure a spot in the title game.

Krome was one part of a balanced offensive effort on behalf of the Mustangs; seven different players had at least six points for SMSU. Scott Roehl and Andy Beilke hit double-figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Jake Morrow's game-high 17 points led MSU, which also put together a solid shooting outing--connecting on 43.1 percent of their shots from the field.

“I'd first like to thank Southwest Minnesota State University and Chris Hmieleweski and his staff,” said MSU head coach Matt Margenthaler. “They put on a big time, first class tournament. It was honestly awesome, it was big time. We really appreciate it, they treated our kids very well. We appreciate the hospitality we received in Marshall while we were here. It was a great game. The hardest thing to do as a coach is to see your seniors leave your program. They've done a great job, they've had great careers and it's harder than hell to say good bye to these guys who have given their blood, sweat and tears.”

MSU held a four-point halftime advantage, and the Mavericks kept possession of that lead for the first 11 minutes of the second half. However, the Mustangs chipped away, finally taking a 50-40 lead with 8:13 remaining off a Roehl free throw.

The Mavericks quickly answered with a Morrow three-pointer to take a one-point lead.

But it was Roehl who gave SMSU the lead again, nailing a layup to make it 53-52.

SMSU did not trail for the remainder of the game, stretching its lead to as much as 10 points with a minute left in regulation.

The Mustangs sank eight free throws in the last minute and a half of play.

The 27th win is just one shy of the SMSU school record for victories in a season. The 2001 squad that advanced to the Elite Eight posted 28 wins. The 2001 season was also the only other time SMSU has played for a region title.