Southwest Minnesota State used 56 percent shooting in the first half to build a 44-28 halftime lead as the Mustangs cruised past Wayne State College 78-61 in Northern Sun Conference mens basketball Friday evening in Marshall, Minnesota at the R/A Facility. SMSU is now 8-19 and 5-16 in the league while WSC drops to 10-20 and 7-14 in NSIC games.
The host Mustangs took an 8-0 lead in the first 2:30 of the contest. After WSC cut the deficit to 11-7, the Mustangs scored the next 11 points and built a 22-7 lead at the 10:58 mark of the first half.
SMSU maintained a double figure lead the rest of the half while shooting 56.7 percent in the first half (17-30) to build a 44-28 halftime advantage.
The Mustangs held a double digit lead for a majority of the second half over the Wildcats.
WSC got as close as eight at 61-53 following a four point play by Nate Mohr with 8:49 remaining. The Mustangs then shut down the rally by scoring 10 of the next 11 points to take a 71-54 lead and ended with the 78-61 win.
Sophomore center Jordan Janssen produced his 16th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Nick Ferrarini also hit double figures with 11.
Wayne State ended the game making 20 of 52 shots for 38.5 percent, going just 3 for 15 from the 3-point line while making 18 of 28 at the charity stripe.
Jake Phipps led four SMSU players in double figures with 18 points. Grant Kramer scored 17 with Kenny Byers adding a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Weston Baker Magrath also hit double figures with 13.
The Mustangs made 29 of 59 shots for 49.2 percent, hitting on 8 of 24 3-point shots. The Mustangs were 12 for 14 at the line.
SMSU held a sizeable 42-28 edge in rebounding over the Wildcats despite 10 boards from Janssen. AlTavius Jackson had four assists with Mohr recording three steals.
The Wildcats will visit Sioux Falls Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the regular season finale.
Southwest Minnesota State made 12 3-pointers and snapped a 21-game losing skid (dating back to February, 2009) to Wayne State College in defeating the Wildcats Friday evening 77-60 in a Northern Sun Conference South Division womens basketball game played at the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minnesota. The Wildcats fall to 16-11 on the season and 11-10 in the NSIC while the Mustangs improve to 15-11 and 10-11 in NSIC games. It marked the first time since February 25, 2009 (67-62 in Wayne) that SMSU beat WSC in womens basketball.
The Wildcats led much of the first quarter until a scoring surge late gave the Mustangs the lead for good.
WSC held early leads of 5-0 and 10-5 and was still in front 13-10 when the Mustangs ended the quarter scoring seven of the last eight points for a 17-14 lead.
After SMSU took a 23-14 lead at the 8:08 mark of the second quarter, WSC closed within five points at 23-18 following baskets from Brittany Bongartz and Erin Norling.
But the Mustangs separated themselves from the Wildcats with a 16-4 scoring run to take a 39-22 lead before finishing the first half with a 39-29 lead at intermission.
SMSU built a pair of 11-point leads early in the third quarter with the Wildcats closing within six at 44-38 following a Josey Ryan layup with 7:40 to play.
The Mustangs closed the quarter with a 13-point lead at 61-48 and SMSU outscored WSC 16-12 in the fourth quarter to maintain a double digit lead with the Mustangs ending the long losing streak to the Wildcats with a 77-60 win.
Norling led Wayne State in scoring with 18 points. Halley Busse ended with 13 points while Bongartz and Ryan each chipped in 10 points.
Wayne State shot just 36.5 percent from the field making 23 of 63 shots. The Cats were just 3 for 13 from the 3-point line and 11 of 17 at the charity stripe.
Jenna Borchers paced Southwest Minnesota State with a game-high 22 points. Abuk Akoi and Meleah Reinhart each poured in 12 points with Sadie Stelter adding 11.
SMSU was 25 of 57 from the field for 43.9 percent, including 12 for 27 from the 3-point line. The Mustangs were 15-20 at the free throw line.
WSC held a slim 39-37 edge in rebounding over the Mustangs thanks to nine boards from Norling and eight by Ryan. Busse led WSC in assists with three while Ryan had two steals and Bongartz two blocks.
WSC will close out the regular season playing at #16 Sioux Falls Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
