Mankato experienced March Madness at its best as they advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on buzzer-beater Tuesday night.
Trailing Northwest Missouri State 42-41 with five seconds on the clock and the Bearcats at the line for a one-and-one, Minnesota State-Mankato grabbed the rebound on the missed free throw, raced up the court and Malik Willingham dished to Elijah Hazekamp for a buzzer-beating jumper to win it.
Here’s the replay from the online stream:
Just WOW! pic.twitter.com/MCxctgy5Vc
— NSIC (@NorthernSunConf) March 20, 2024
Here are two more views of the shot from the Mavericks:
Two angles of Hazekamp’s buzzer beater that sent Minnesota State to the Elite 8. @ElijahHazekamp3 🔥#KeepDancing | #RollMavs | #HornsUp pic.twitter.com/zAGNVmBUUB
— MSU Men's Basketball (@MinnStMBBall) March 20, 2024
Here’s another view of the winning shot from the stands:
Mavs win at the buzzer! pic.twitter.com/ZrWRQ8zhlz
— Coach Doose (@DooseNeil) March 20, 2024
Mankato made just 18 shots all game and Hazekamp was 0-for-6 shooting before burying the game-winner to knock out fourth-ranked Northwest Missouri State,.
The Mavericks, now 32-2 and ranked No. 2 in the country, will play in the Elite Eight in Evansville, Ind., next Tuesday, March 26. The Division II Men’s Basketball Committee re-seeds the final eight teams and Mankato got the No. 1 overall seed and will play No. 8 Ferris State.
