Box Score
MARSHALL, MINN.: Southwest Minnesota State scored 12 straight points in the final 2:50 to earn a thrilling 69-64 victory over MSU Moorhead on Friday night in Marshall. The win snaps a four-game losing streak for SMSU and improves its record to 9-7 overall, 4-4 NSIC. MSU Moorhead drops to 11-5 overall, 4-4 NSIC.
MSU Moorhead held a 64-57 lead with just under three minutes left in the game before an amazing possession pulled SMSU to within one point. SMSU's Ross DeMasi scored on a lay-up with 2:27 left and on the play the Dragons' Andy Thompson was called for an intentional foul. DeMasi, who entered the game as a 57.4 percent free throw shooting, connected on both free throws to cut the Dragon lead to 64-61. SMSU then pulled to within 64-63 as Travis Krenske hit a 15-foot jumper with 2:21 left in the contest.
The Mustang defense then forced a Dragon turnover and on SMSU's next possession, DeMasi tipped in a missed Andrew Peschong shot to give SMSU a 65-64 lead with 1:42 left in the game. The SMSU defense then forced another big play as MSU Moorhead's Justyn Burgess was called for an offensive foul with 1:23 on the clock. SMSU had several chances to extend the lead on its next possession but couldn't convert sitting up a chance for MSUM in the final minute.
Burgess missed a jumper with 18 seconds left and DeMasi, who finished with a game-high eight rebounds, grabbed the rebound and on the play the Dragons' Blake Strouth was called for an intentional foul. DeMasi missed both free throws but after the ensuing inbounds Peschong was fouled and hit both free throws with 14 seconds left to give SMSU a 67-64 lead.
MSU Moorhead had one more chance to tie the game but Peschong stole the ball from Ryan Rozell with five seconds left to seal the win.
Both team shot well in the first half as SMSU built a one-point 33-32 halftime lead. SMSU shot 59 percent in the first half while MSUM shot 50 percent including 4 of 8 from three-point range.
SMSU trailed for much of the second half holding its last lead at 46-45 with 13:52 left before regaining the lead in the final three minutes.
Krenske had a career-high for SMSU as he poured in a career-high 26 points on 9 of 11 shooting including a career-best six three-pointers. Peschong poured in a season-high 12 points of the bench and hit on 6 of 6 from the free throw line.
SMSU finished the night shooting 49 percent (24 of 49) and outrebounded MSUM 33-24. MSUM finished the night shooting 50 percent (27 of 54)
MSU Moorhead was led by Justyn Burgess with 21 points.
SMSU will look to continue its winning ways tomorrow night hosting Concordia at 8 p.m. MSU Moorhead plays at Wayne State.
