Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Southwest Minnesota State rallied from a nine-point deficit with eight minutes remaining to earn a thrilling 68-67 non-conference victory over the University of Sioux Falls on Tuesday night in Sioux Falls, S.D.

USF used an 11-2 run to build a 59-50 lead with 8:23 left before SMSU used strong defensive play to retake the lead.  SMSU held USF scoreless for the next five and a half minutes as SMSU regained the lead at 61-59 with a three-pointer by Kevin Andrews with 3:24 left in the game to give SMSU its first lead of the second half. 

USF would tie the score at 61-61 with 2:49 remaining but Taylor Huseby put SMSU in front for good with a field goal to give SMSU a two-point lead with 2:12 left. 

SMSU would build the lead to 67-61 with 34 seconds left but made just one of four free throws down the stretch to give USF a chance in the game's final seconds.  Trailing 68-65 with under 10 seconds left, USF had a chance to tie the game but USF's Matt Malloy's final field goal was just inside the three-point line and SMSU held on for the one-point victory.

Andrews led SMSU with a season-high 21 points on 9 of 15 shooting.  Ross DeMasi tied a career-high with 16 rebounds.  Taylor Huseby added 13 points and six rebounds.

SMSU as a team shot just 37.5 percent from the field connecting on just 25 of 72 shots.

After falling behind 5-3 in the game's first three minutes, SMSU took its first lead of the game on a three-pointer by DeAnthony Zanders with 15:43 left in the first half and took its largest lead of the opening half at 12-7 on a three-pointer by Andy Beilke at the 14:30 mark.

The Mustangs held several four-point leads in the first half including holding a 28-24 advantage with 5:28 on the clock on four straight Taylor Huseby free throws. 

USF though answered back with a 13-6 run to close out the first half to take a 37-34 halftime lead.

USF shot 55.6 percent from the field in the opening half, including 5 of 7 from three-point range as the Cougars' Adam Herther hit on all five three-pointers on five attempts.

SMSU finished the opening half shooting 37.5 percent from the field, including 3 of 9 from three-point range. 

Adam Herther led USF with 17 points.

SMSU returns to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend hosting MSU Moorhead on Friday night beginning at 8 p.m.  The game marks the first of a four-game homestand for the Mustangs.