Mustangs Open NSIC Play with Blowout Victory at Bemidji State

BEMIDJI, MINN.: Southwest Minnesota State senior Matt Fletcher scored a game-high 21 points connecting on five three-pointers to lead the Mustangs to a 79-59 road victory over Bemidji State University in the Northern Sun Conference opener in Bemidji.

SMSU snaps a two-game losing streak with the victory and improves to 3-2 overall, 1-0 NSIC, while BSU has its two-game winning streak snapped and falls to 2-5 overall, 0-1 NSIC.

The Mustangs started the game strong and never looked back as they never trailed in the game. SMSU built an 11-3 lead in the game's first three minutes before the Beavers pulled to within 16-12 with 14:23 remaining in the opening half. SMSU though answered back with 13-6 run to extend the lead to 29-18 with 8:11 left in the half. SMSU then took a 13-point lead with 5:00 left on a Fletcher three-pointer, his fourth of the first half, before senior Travis Krenske gave SMSU its largest lead of the half at 42-27 with 1:00 left on a steal and lay-up. BSU scored the final two points of the half to cut the SMSU lead to 42-29 at halftime.

In the second half it was all SMSU as the Mustangs scored seven of the first nine points of the half to push the lead to 49-31 with 17:44 left in the game. BSU would never get closer than 14 points the rest of the game as SMSU cruised to the victory.

Redshirt freshman Scott Roehl made his first career start and poured in a career-high 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds in just 21 minutes. Krenske ended the night with 14 points and dished out a career-high eight assists. SMSU finished the game with seven players scoring at least six points or more.

Sophomore Nick Dale added nine points and five rebounds while Ross DeMasi chipped in with nine points on 4 of 5 shooting.

SMSU shot a season-high 60.4 percent from the field (32 of 53) and outrebounded BSU 36-21.

Sergei Baskow led all BSU scorers with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field.

Southwest Minnesota State will close out the NSIC opening weekend with a road game at Minnesota, Crookston on Saturday, Dec. 1 beginning at 8 p.m.

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