BOX SCORE
MANKATO, Minn. - No. 9 Minnesota State claimed at least a share of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title with a 85-75 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday night.

The Mavericks (22-4, 18-4 NSIC) were 22 of 27 from the field in the second half for an astonishing 81.5 percent shooting percentage. MSU finished shooting 61 percent (36 of 59) after shooting 14 of 32 at the break.

SMSU (16-13, 13-9 NSIC) finished shooting 52.5 percent (31 of 59) but it was no match for the Mavericks attack.

Jordan Miller finished with a game-high 26 points on 9 of 18 shooting, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range. Nick Smith (15), Lavione West (12), Matt Zager (10) and Vinard Birch (10) all hit double-digit scoring. SMSU only grabbed 25 rebounds in the game, mostly due to Minnesota State inability to miss shots.

MSU's Javis Williams netted 21 points, while Assem Marei contributed 17 points on 8 of 11 shooting.

Minnesota State scored 51 points in the second half, after scoring 34 in the first half.

Minnesota State's lead would hover between six and 10 points for the beginning of the second half before it grew to 18 when Assem Marei slammed home a dunk. The dunk capped a 10-3 run with 4:47 to go. SMSU close-out the game on a high note when Jordan Miller nailed a 3-pointer, before getting two turnovers in the last 23 seconds. Nick Smith made his first 3-pointer of the season and just his fourth of his career with 11 seconds left.

SMSU will play in the first round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference / Sanford Health Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 27. SMSU's opponent and game time are to be determined.