Wayne State College shot just 30 percent in the second half as #22 Southwest Minnesota State used a 23-4 scoring run to take control of the game in a 76-56 Northern Sun Conference men's basketball victory over the Wildcats Tuesday evening in Marshall, Minnesota.  SMSU is 5-1 and 1-0 in the league while WSC is 5-1 and 0-1 in NSIC games.
            The game was close early until the Mustangs went on a 17-0 scoring run during the middle part of the half to take control.
            After Wayne State's Kai Smith sank a 3-pointer at the 13:43 mark to force a 13-13 tie, SMSU scored the next 17 points over a span of 8:03 to give the Mustangs a commanding 30-13 lead.
            WSC still trailed 36-22 with 2:10 to play in the half but closed the half strong thanks to the play of junior reserve guard Kai Smith, who sank a 3-pointer followed by a dunk to end the half cutting the Mustang lead to 36-29 at the break.
            The Wildcats came out strong to start the second half, taking a 42-38 lead with 15:15 to play on a Noah Erickson basket.
            But Wayne State went ice cold from the field, scoring just four points over the next 10:40 as the Mustangs turned a four-point deficit into a sizeable 61-46 lead with five minutes to play thanks to a 23-4 scoring run.
            Cody McCullough led Wayne State in scoring with 15 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds.  Kai Smith accounted for 13 points with Matt Noll scoring 12.
            WSC shot 35.6 percent from the field making 21 of 59 shots.  The 'Cats were just 4 of 27 from the 3-point line and 10 for 13 at the free throw line.
            Steven Kramer recorded 18 points for SMSU followed by Mason Lund with 16, Mekhi Shaw 15 and Jakob Braaten 11.
            Southwest Minnesota State made 28 of 48 shots for 58.3 percent, going 7 for 18 from the 3-point line and 13 of 20 at the charity stripe.
            SMSU outrebounded WSC 38-28 with McCullough's seven boards leading the 'Cats.  Noll was credited with six steals while Sean Stokes had three assists.       
            Wayne State will close out the non-conference schedule Saturday afternoon hosting Clarke University of Iowa in a 3 p.m. contest at Rice Auditorium.