Southwest Minnesota State 78 Wayne State 61
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 men's 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 16
th 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.
Al'Tavius 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.
