Box Score

ANAHEIM, CALIF. - Southwest Minnesota State used a 12-2 run late in the first half to erase a three-point deficit and never looked back in earning a 60-55 season-opening victory over Alaska-Anchorage on Friday afternoon at the Disney West Coast Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

It was an impressive start to the season for SMSU beating a UAA squad that finished 29-6 last season, won the NCAA West Regional and advanced to the Final Four.  It was SMSU's 11th win in the last 13 season openers.

SMSU trailed for most of the first 15 minutes of the game before junior Andrew Peschong drilled a three-pointer to give SMSU a 23-22 lead, its first since leading 9-8 four minutes into the game.  SMSU pushed the lead to seven points on two occassions, following a basket by senior Andy Beilke to make it 29-22 with just under three minutes left and two free throws by junior Kevin Andrews with 1:59 remaining making it 31-24 in favor of SMSU.  SMSU would continue to hold the lead and took a 33-27 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

SMSU would push the lead to eight early in the second half before UAA would rally to pull within one-point on several occasions including 38-37 with 13 minutes left in the game.  The Mustangs though answered back with an 11-1 run in the next three minutes to extend the lead to 48-39 with 9 minutes and 12 seconds left in the game.

SMSU continued to add to its lead in the next several minutes and built a 56-41 lead with 5:17 left on a three-pointer by Beilke, his lone three-pointer of the game.  SMSU sophomore Taylor Huseby scored on a lay-up with 4:29 left in the game to give SMSU a 58-43 lead and looked to have the game sealed away but the Seawolves countered with a 10-0 run to cut the SMSU lead to 58-53 with 1:46 on the clock following a UAA three-pointer.  Neither teams was able to score again until Peschong iced the game away with two free throws with eight seconds on the clock to seal the Mustang victory.

Southwest Minnesota State, which had the same or outrebounded its opponents in 25 of 29 games last season, dominated the glass on Friday afternoon finishing with a 44-29 advantage including grabbing 18 offensive rebounds.  Senior Ross DeMasi led the way for SMSU grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds while senior Ryan Krome added seven rebounds while scoring nine points on four field goals.  Beilke finished with a team-high 12 points on 5 of 9 shooting in 20 minutes.

Andrews and Peschong also each added nine points while Huseby chipped in with seven points.

UAA was led by senior Kenny Barker who scored a game-high 21 points on 8 of 18 shooting.

SMSU finished the game shooting 40.3 percent from the field (25 of 62) but was just 22.2 percent from three-point range (4 of 18).

Southwest Minnesota State will continue action tomorrow taking on Humboldt State (Calif.) at 7 p.m. CST.