MANKATO, Minn. — St. Cloud State converted 8-of-10 free throws during the final three minutes, including Taylor Witt’s successful pair with 5.2 seconds remaining, to help give the Huskies an 82-77 victory over Metro State in a Division II Central Regional quarterfinal game Saturday night.
Trailing 71-67 with 1:50 left, Metro State (24-7) got the ball back. But Donte Nicholas turned it over and St. Cloud State’s Josh Ortmann hit a 3-pointer to give the Huskies (26-5) a 74-67 lead with 53 seconds left.
St. Cloud led 76-69 with 36 seconds left before A.J. Flournoy made a basket and a free throw to pull Metro State closer with 28 seconds left.
The Roadrunners rallied and cut their deficit to 77-75 on Brian Minor’s 3-pointer with 22 seconds left.
Metro State had the ball and trailed by three points with 12 seconds left. Nicholas tipped in Flournoy’s missed layup and Metro was down 78-77 with 5.9 seconds left.
Witt followed with his clinching free throws that gave St. Cloud State an 80-77 lead.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Huskies twice pushed their lead to 11 points early in the second half.
Minor led Metro State with 19 points. Flournoy finished with 16. Nicholas contributed 14 points and nine rebounds for the Roadrunners.
Witt led the Huskies with 22 points. He made 12-of-13 free throws overall.
St. Cloud State outrebounded Metro State 41-29 and outscored the Roadrunners at the free-throw line. The Huskies converted 29-of-40 free throws, the Roadrunners 21-of-28.
Metro State hit 8-of-16 attempts from 3-point range. Minor, Flournoy and Reggie Evans each hit two 3s.
Nicholas’ nine rebounds led Metro State. Each team had 11 turnovers.
