ST. JOSEPH, MO -- Georgia Southwestern's magical postseason run came to an end on Monday as the fourth-seeded Hurricanes fell to the Minnesota State Mavericks 93-88 in the national quarterfinals at the NCAA Elite Eight. GSW, making their first-ever appearance at the Elite Eight, sees their historic season come to a close with a 29-4 overall record.
GSW started the game strong, leading by as many as seven in the first quarter at 15-8 following two free throws from Ndidiamaka Ndukwe. Minnesota State slowly chipped away at that lead over the next four minutes, tying the game at 17 with 2:50 left on a Natalie Bremer jumper. MSU outscored the 'Canes 7-4 and led by 24-21 after one.
GSW responded in a big way in the second quarter. Trailing 35-31 with 4:54 to go, Jashanti Simmons hit a driving layup to start a massive 16-3 run. Simmons hit another on GSW's next possession, followed by free throws from Kayla Langley, another Simmons layup and a Kayla Grant fast-break bucket. Minnisota State was kept alive with their three-point shooting, but Destiny Garret's driving layup with 1:43 left gave GSW their first double-digit lead at 49-39 with 1:43 to play.
The Mavericks quickly closed that gap back to four points following a putback from Ava Stier and a three-pointer from Joey Batt, but GSW's Kayhla Adams hit a three at the buzzer to give the 'Canes a 52-45 halftime lead.
Minnesota State started the second half on fire, scoring six straight points before GSW could answer and going on a 12-2 run that gave them a 59-54 lead. Simmons and Ndukwe answered for GSW to cut the lead to one, but MSU got a three from Mackenzie Schweim and another from Destinee Bursch to go back up by six. GSW answered once again, going on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to lead by four. The Mavericks cut the lead back to one, but Johnson's put-back at the buzzer gave the 'Canes a 71-68 lead after three.
The two teams traded the lead nine times in the fourth quarter alone. GSW led by one 85-84 with 1:24 to play following a three-pointer from Lexi McCully. That was immediately answered by MSU with a three from Emily Herzberg that gave the Mavericks a lead they would not relinquish. MSU made six of eight free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
GSW shot 54% from the field and 53% from three-point range but was hampered by 26 turnovers against the Mavericks' full-court press. MSU also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds which led to 14 second-chance points. MSU hit only 9 of 28 three-pointers in the game and were outrebounded by GSW 39-35.
McCully led the Hurricanes with 18 points off the bench, hitting 7-for-14 from the field and four of seven three-pointers. Destiny Garrett added 14 with Simmons scoring 13. Kayla Langley led GSW with six rebounds.
Joey Batt led Minnesota State with 21 points while Bremer added 14.