Southwest Minnesota State 62 Wayne State 59

            Southwest Minnesota State used big plays late in the game to rally from a 50-45 deficit as the visiting Mustangs dealt Wayne State College a sixth straight loss Saturday evening 62-59 in a Northern Sun Conference South Division men's basketball contest at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.  WSC drops to 5-12 and 2-6 in the NSIC while SMSU is 5-9 and 2-6 in the league.
            Wayne State led for much of the first half, building a 20-10 lead at the 10:13 mark on a Henry Penner 3-pointer. 
            The Mustangs then scored nine straight points and closed within 20-19 following back-to-back 3-pointers from Kenny Byers.
            WSC pushed the lead back to six at 31-25, but SMSU closed the final 3:28 of the half strong and held a 33-32 lead at intermission over the Wildcats.
            Southwest Minnesota State held a five point lead (39-34) at the 15:55 mark of the second half, but WSC reeled off seven straight points and took a 41-39 lead on two Obi Patrick free throws.
            The game turned into a defensive battle with WSC holding a 50-45 lead with 4:35 to play.
            But SMSU's Andy Stafford sank a trio of 3-pointers in just 1:45 to give the Mustangs the lead for good at 56-54 with 1:47 left.
            SMSU increased the lead to five at 60-55 with 23 seconds to play, but WSC used a Nate Mohr basket and a offensive rebound put-back from Ben Dentlinger to close within 60-59 with three seconds left.
            WSC then fouled SMSU's Kenny Byers on the inbounds with 2.3 seconds left and he sank a pair of free throws for the final 62-59 scoring margin.
            WSC was 21 of 60 shooting for 35 percent, including 8 for 27 (29.6%) in the second half.  The Wildcats were 4 of 12 behind the arc and 13 for 18 at the foul stripe.
            Sophomore center Jordan Janssen recorded his 10^th double-double of the year with 25 points and 11 rebounds.  Mohr also reached double figures with 10.
            SMSU made 22 of 52 shots from the floor for 42.3 percent, going 7 of 15 from the 3-point line while making 11 for 16 at the foul stripe.
            Byers had a double-double to lead SMSU with 24 points and 11 boards while Andy Stafford reached double digits with 13.
            Southwest Minnesota State won the rebounding battle over Wayne State 43-32.  WSC forced 20 turnovers on SMSU and held a 21-5 edge in points off turnovers while the 'Cats had 11 turnovers. 
The Wildcats will be on the road next weekend, visiting Winona State Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Upper Iowa Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in NSIC South Division games.