LAKELAND, Fla. — It came down to overtime in #1 Minnesota State’s season opener Saturday evening, but it was #19 Florida Southern that was able to come away with the 91-86 win.
With the loss, MSU drops to 0-1 on the season. With the win, FSC improves to 1-0.
Halfway through the first half Florida Southern built a 10-point lead at 23-13. Six Mavericks reached the scoring column in the first 10 minutes, including freshman Carson Schweim who tallied three points and four rebounds. A little over three minutes later, MSU cut the Mocs’ lead to six at 26-20 with 7:12 remaining in the stanza.
The Mocs managed to go up by 10 at 41-31 with 2:35 to go in the half, but a pair of baskets from junior Malcolm Jones and three pointer by freshman Will Opsahl as time expired in the half cut Florida Southern’s lead to 43-38.
Jones led the Mavericks in the first half as he notched eight points, while hauling in five rebounds. Schweim, Opsahl and sophomore Caden Kirkman each recorded six points in the first half also.
As a unit, MSU shot 16-of-35 (.457) from the field in the opening stanza. The Maverick bench accounted for 20 of MSU’s points in the first half.
Alex Steen led all scorers in the first half with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Jadin Booth tallied 10 points and three assists.
As a team, FSC shot 17-of-41 (.415) from the field in the first half.
MSU opened the second half outscoring the Mocs 9-2 to take its first lead of the game at 47-45 with 16:16 to go. Junior Daniel Harmon notched five of MSU’s nine points in the opening minutes of the half. The Mavericks eventually went up by seven at 69-62 with 5:50 to go but the Mocs would work their way back into the game as the lead changed hands four more times in the closing minutes.
With the game tied 76-76 in the final minute both teams had a chance to take the lead but the neither team was able to score as the game went into overtime.
Two minutes into overtime, Florida Southern managed to build an 84-80 lead, but baskets from Harmon and senior Kyreese Willingham tied the game at 84-84 with 1:56 remaining. The Mocs were then able to finish the final 1:56 outscoring the Mavericks 7-2 as they went on to claim the 91-86 win.
Opsahl led the Mavericks in scoring as he notched 15 points, to go along with five rebounds. Kirkman finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Willingham, Harmon and senior Harrison Braudis each tallied 13 points. Willingham also recorded five steals.
As a team, MSU shot 45.3% from the field, including an 8-of-28 (.286) showing from downtown. The Mavericks hauled in 43 rebounds and scored 19 second chance points off 13 offensive boards.
Steen led all scorers as he notched 27 points and 12 rebounds. Booth finished with 15 points also.
As a team, Florida Southern shot 41.7% from the field, including a 6-of-25 (.240) performance from three point range.
Minnesota State returns to action on Sunday as it takes on #9 North Georgia. Tip-off is scheduled 7 p.m. (CT) at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Fla.
To view the postgame press conference click HERE
