Sheriff Scores 40 to Lead Spartans Past Ridgewater

Foday Sheriff made 18-of-25 shots from the field, scoring a game high 40 points and reaching 1000 career points for his Spartan career, as he led M State past Ridgewater 107-76 in the Region XIII Semifinals on Saturday at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids.  Sheriff added 9 rebounds, 5 assists and a pair of blocked shots.

Three other Spartans were in double digits with Mason Muir recording a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds).  Braylon Baldwin added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, and Yonis Mohamud finished with 10 points, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks.

M State continued their outstanding shooting, hitting 55.7% (44-79) of their field goal attempts, and making 44% (11-25) of their treys.  They also went 8-for-10 from the free throw line for 80%.  The Spartans also assisted on 22 of their made baskets, won the rebounding battle, 39-35, and took excellent care of the basketball with only 6 turnovers in the game.

Ridgewater placed four players in double figures, led by 17 points from Tyrese Mayo.  DeAndre Holloway registered a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds), Keagen Shrider added 12 points and 4 assists, and Aiden Wichmann finished with 10 points and 3 assists.  The Warriors shot 45.3% (29-64) overall and 29.2% (7-24) from 3-point range.

M State (28-2), ranked fourth in the country in the NJCAA Division III Poll will face Riverland (29-2), the sixth-ranked team in the nation, for the Region XIII Championship at 2:30 Sunday afternoon.  The winner will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Herkimer, New York, March 12-15.  The loser of the title game will most likely receive an at-large bid to the 12 team tournament.

M State and Riverland have split their two games this season.