ABERDEEN, South Dakota –Northwest  Missouri State overcame an 11-point deficit with 3:01 to play and posted a 91-86 overtime victory over Northern State University to advance to the program’s fifth Elite Eight.

Junior Trevor Hudgins scored 27 of 29 points in the second half and overtime, and freshman Byron Alexander posted a career-high 21 points. Atlantic native Ryan Hawkins dropped in 19 points to go with 9 rebounds.

Hudgins hit a contested three with four seconds left to send the game to the extra session. Northern State ran into big foul trouble in overtime and the Bearcats took advantage.

The game was marred by 52 fouls and couple of extremely lengthy reviews. There were 11 lead changes in close battle throughout.

Hawkins also reached a personal milestone, surpassing 2,000 points for his career. He’s just the second player in school history to accomplish that feat, joining 2018 graduate Justin Pitts.

The Bearcats will now have a chance to defend their title from 2019 in the Elite Eight in Evansville, IN next week.