Box Score

MARSHALL, MINN.: Southwest Minnesota State held the University of Mary to 13.6 percent shooting in the second half and went on to cruise to a 76-40 Northern Sun Conference victory on Saturday night in Marshall.  The victory pushes SMSU's record to 5-3 overall, 3-1 NSIC.  Mary drops to 2-6 overall, 1-3 NSIC.

SMSU, which never trailed in the game, just to a 10-point lead in the game's first eight minutes and never looked back in building a 41-23 halftime lead.  SMSU senior Matt Fletcher helped lead the Mustangs in the first half connecting on 5 of 6 field goals including three three-pointers as he finished with 17 first half points.  Sophomore Kevin Andrews also had a strong first half pouring in 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting.

The Mustangs held a slight 27-21 lead with 4:20 left in the opening half but finished the half out-scoring the Marauders 14-2 to take the 18-point halftime lead.

In the second half it was all SMSU as the Mustang defense, which allowed Northern State to shoot over 80 percent from the field last night in the second half, was outstanding tonight limiting Mary to just 3 of 22 shooting for 13.6 percent.  The SMSU defense forced a season-high 22 turnovers and outrebounded Mary 45-25.  SMSU has now held a rebound edge over its opponents in all eight games this season.

Fletcher poured in a season-high 22 points with four rebounds and four assists.  Andrews finished the night with a career-high 18 points on 8 of 12 shooting in just 22 minutes.  Senior Travis Krenske rounded out the SMSU double figure scoring with 11 points.

SMSU will now return to non-conference action for the next three weeks before resuming conference play in January.  The Mustangs will host future NSIC foe Augustana College on Thursday, Dec. 13 beginning at 7 p.m.