BOX SCORE
MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State, ranked No. 21 in the nation, shot 61.5 percent from the field in the second half to earn a 79-67 victory over the University of Mary on Saturday night in Marshall.
SMSU, which is now 7-0 all-time versus U-Mary, improves to 6-2 overall, 2-1 NSIC, while Mary falls to 4-5 overall, 2-2 NSIC.
Jordan Miller scored a team-high 16 points, all in the second half, connecting on four three-pointers, while dishing out a team-high six assists. Kevin Andrews and Andrew Peschong added 12 points each for SMSU.
Anthony Moody scored a career-high 29 points for U-Mary on 10 of 15 shooting.
SMSU used its depth in earning the victory as the Mustang bench outscored U-Mary's bench 30-5.
It was well played game for both squads as SMSU finished the evening shooting 49.2 percent from the field and committed just nine turnovers, while Mary shot 50 percent form the field and committed just 11 turnovers. U-Mary did struggle from three-point range, making just 4 of 18 attempts.
SMSU, which led 37-35 at halftime, broke free from a 37-37 tie with a 12-0 run highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers to give SMSU a 49-37 lead with 14 minutes and 56 seconds remaining in the game.
The Mustangs maintained a double digit lead for the next nine minutes before the Marauders trimmed the lead to six points on three occasions, including 71-65 with 1:26 remaining before SMSU's DeAnthony Zanders sealed the game with a three-point play with 1:14 left to push the lead to 74-65.
SMSU finished with a 36-27 rebound advantage and drilled nine three-pointers on 19 attempts.
The two teams played an even first 20 minutes with the game featuring 14 lead changes and eight ties. Neither team had a lead of more than three points in the opening half.
SMSU held a 37-35 halftime lead with Peschong leading the way with seven points and three rebounds.
Moody led Mary in the first half with 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting with four rebounds.
Southwest Minnesota State wraps-up its three-game homestand on Thursday, Dec. 17, with a non-conference game versus Minnesota-Morris starting at 8 p.m.
