MANKATO, Minn. — Fort Lewis exploded for 48 points in the second half Sunday and advanced to the NCAA Division II’s Sweet 16 for the first time with a 77-65 victory over Colorado Mines in the semifinals of the Central Regional.
All-RMAC senior guard DeAndre Lansdowne led Fort Lewis with 18 points. He hit 5-of-9 shots and scored 14 points in the second half. RMAC player of the year Sean Armstrong led Colorado Mines (25-6) with 19 points and five assists. The Skyhawks (24-7) play Minnesota State (26-4) for the regional title Tuesday.
Minnesota State 69, Metro State 65
The Roadrunners (22-8) stayed with host Minnesota State for most of their Central Regional semifinal, but the top-seeded Mavericks (26-4) pulled away down the stretch and put an end to Metro State’s season.
The Roadrunners’ biggest lead in the first half was five points. Minnesota State tied the score 27-27 by halftime.
In the second half, Minnesota State scored six consecutive points to build a 61-54 lead with 4:14 remaining. A 3-pointer from Metro State senior guard A.J. Flournoy cut the Mavericks’ lead to 67-65 with 59 seconds left.
Reggie Evans missed two free throws with 14 seconds left, squandering an opportunity for the Road- runners to tie the score.
Jefferson Mason made two free throws with 12 seconds left to clinch Minnesota State’s victory. Mason scored 25 points.
Evans, a junior guard from Range- view High School, led Metro State with 22 points. He hit 10-of-18 shots and also grabbed six rebounds. Flournoy scored 12 points.
