Box Score
MARSHALL, MINN.: Southwest Minnesota State shot a season-high 66 percent from the field including 70.4 percent in the first half in earning an 88-76 Northern Sun Conference victory over Upper Iowa on Friday night in Marshall.
The victory was SMSU's eight straight at home and lifts its record to 14-9 overall, 9-5 NSIC. Upper Iowa drops its third game in a row and is now 6-16 overall, 5-8 NSIC. The 88 points scored tonight was also a season-high for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs held the lead for much of the first half including building a 47-32 lead with two minutes remaining in the half before taking a 49-37 lead into halftime.
SMSU redshirt freshman Taylor Huseby scored a career-high eight points, all of in the first half, to help the Mustangs build the 12-point halftime lead. SMSU connected on 19 of 27 shots in the opening half and committed just three turnovers.
The Mustangs scored the first four points of the second half to push the lead to 53-37 but the Peacocks rallied back as SMSU went over seven minutes without a field goal to trim the lead to 54-51. Matt Fletcher ended the Mustang drought with a field goal and free throw at 11:53 to push the margin back to six.
Upper Iowa pulled to within 57-54 with 11 minutes left in the game but SMSU went on a mini 8-2 run over the next two minutes to take a 65-56 lead with 9:16 remaining. SMSU would never look back as they built the lead to as many as 18 points with two minutes left in the contest.
SMSU had five players score in double figures for the first time since Jan. 17, 2007 at Concordia. Ross DeMasi scored a team-high 14 points on 5 of 5 shooting while Fletcher added 13 points. Ryan Krome and Kevin Andrews each added 12 points while Andrew Peschong chipped in with 11 points.
The Mustangs finished the game scoring 50 points in the paint and forced 15 UIU turnovers leading to 22 points.
Matt Lesan led Upper Iowa with 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting.
SMSU will continue its homestand tomorrow night with a showdown versus No. 3 Winona State. WSU has won 43 straight conference victories following tonight's win at Wayne State.
