EVANSVILLE, Ind. – West Texas A&M men's basketball couldn't overcome a powerful Minnesota State Mavericks team in the NCAA Division II Final Four as the Buffs fell to Minnesota State 79-72 at the Ford Center on Thursday afternoon. WT ends the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 30-5 after winning the Lone Star Conference regular season title.  

The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Thursday afternoon led by a team-high 19 from Ahamed Mohammed. Larry Wise (18), Ryland Holt (13) and Kieran Elliott (12) also ended their night in double figures. Elliott and Holt grabbed eight rebounds each while Mohammed dished out three assists.
 
How It Happened
Action inside the Ford Center started with a spark as each team missed its first shots before settling in. A Mohammed floater gave WT the game's first points before Minnesota State answered back. After the Buffs tied the game at five, a pair of three pointers from the Mavericks put Minnesota State up six at the first media timeout. The threes started an 11-0 run over almost five minutes to balloon the lead to 11 before a Zach Toussaint driving layup ended the scoring drought. Just as the Buffs looked to cut into the lead, the Mavericks answered back to keep the momentum in the game. Ahead of the under-eight media timeout, Minnesota State extended its lead back to 10. On the offensive side of the court, WT started to heat up, scoring nine points while holding the Mavericks scoreless for three minutes to cut the lead to one. Minnesota State answered back once again by hitting a three to regain a six-point lead. In the first half's final minutes, the two teams went back-and-forth before a layup from Malik Willingham with four seconds to play gave the Mavericks a 43-35 lead at halftime.
 
After Minnesota State opened the second half with four points to take a 12-point lead, the Buffs' defense locked up the Mavericks, converting the stands into seven points. With 13:39 to play a steal from Holt left the senior guard open for three, tying the game at 49. Minnesota State answered quickly by scoring seven points to retake the lead. The Buffs' offense started to go cold as the Mavericks heated up and extended their lead to 13 with 7:42 to play. With five and a half to play, a pair of free throws from Wise brought the game back within single digits. In the game's final three minutes, WT put Minnesota State on the ropes and brought the game back within five. The effort fell short in the closing moments as the Buffs watched the clock expire.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 1-0.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 0-1 against the Mavericks.
• WT shot 35.2% (25-of-71) from the field, 20.6% (7-of-34) from deep, 88.2% from the charity stripe with 38 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, two blocks, and six turnovers.
• Minnesota State shot 47.7% (31-of-65) from the floor, 34.5% (10-of-29) from the 3-point range, 50.0% at the free throw line with 45 rebounds, 19 assists, three steals, five blocks, and 12 turnovers.

 
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