Joey Bartlett scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to lead the No. 2-seeded Mustangs over the seventh-seeded Wonder Boys (21-8) in the first round of the NCAA Division II Central Region tournament in Maryville, Mo.
The Mustangs (27-5) advanced to Sunday's 5 p.m. region semifinal vs. East Central University (Okla.), which won in overtime over Minnesota State Moorhead.
Bartlett was 6-for-12 from the field, making three three-pointers. He also made 10 of 14 free throws. Ryan Bruggeman had 12 points and nine assists with zero turnovers.
East Central 115, MSU Moorhead 106 (OT): Junior guard Tanner Kretchman scored 35 points, but the Dragons' season came to an end when the Tigers outscored them 23-14 in overtime in their Central Region opener. East Central (25-7) hit its first four shots in overtime, including two three-pointers, building a 102-95 lead.
Senior guard Aaron Lien also had a big game for MSU Moorhead (24-6) with 18 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
