Box Score
Mesa State post game press conference
Winona State post game press conference
#2 seed Mesa State men's basketball team won it first ever NCAA DII tournament game Saturday afternoon in a 73-68 win over #7 seed Winona State (MN) in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA DII Central Region Tournament in Mankato, Minn. MSC will advance to the semifinals and play Augustana Sunday at 4 p.m. (MST). Augustana defeated RMAC foe New Mexico Highlands earlier in the day, 87-73.
MSC had four players in double figures led by Brian Kenshalo and Mike Dominguez with 19 points each. Sean Flohr added 14 and Lance Fite scored 10 points.
MSC trailed 31-29 at half and took its first lead in the game, 51-50, on a jumper by Mike Dominquez with 7:59 remaining in regulation. Kenshalo extended the lead to 54-50 on a trey, one of his five 3-pointers on the day. After a basket by Winona to pull to within 52-54, Sean Flohr pulled down an offensive rebound and tipped in a basket for a 56-52 lead. Flohr had three of his five rebounds in the final six minutes.
The Mavericks free throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory hitting 11 of 12 in the final 3:45. Dominguez went 6 for 6 and Flohr 4 for 4 holding off Winona State.
MSC shot 39.6 percent (21-53) from the floor and Winona shot 43.6 percent (24-55). MSC hit eight 3-pointers (8-22) and WSU finished with nine treys (9-23). MSC held a slight rebound edge (38-35). The difference was the Mavs outstanding free throw shooting hitting 23 of 24 while Winona finished 11 of 20 from the foul line.
MSC will play Augustana Sunday at 4 p.m. (MST) in the semifinal of the Central Region Tournament. The winner will advance to the championship game Tuesday night at 6 p.m. (MST).