Complete Release (PDF)

MARHSALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (18-5, 10-3 NSIC), winners of eight in a row and 11 its last 12, continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend with a pair of road games.

On Friday, Feb. 6, SMSU will battle Minnesota State University Moorhead (7-11, 4-9 NSIC) at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn., before heading to Crookston, Minn., on Saturday, Feb. 7, to face the University of Minnesota, Crookston (4-16, 2-11 NSIC) at Lysaker Gym.  Games both night's are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

The Mustangs begin the weekend tied atop the NSIC standings with Winona State and are also ranked No. 1 in this week's NCAA Central Region poll.

Following this weekend's games, SMSU returns home to face St. Cloud State and Concordia on Feb. 13-14.

NCAA Regional Rankings Released:SMSU is ranked first in this week's NCAA Central Region rankings released on Feb. 4.  The top ranking is up four spots from last week when SMSU was ranked No. 5 in the first regional rankings.  The top eight teams in the region qualify for the NCAA tournament with tournament champions from both the NSIC and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference receive automatic bids to the regional.  The next regional poll will be released on Wednesday, Feb. 11 (See complete poll on page 1)

Andrews Earns Academic Honor:Junior Kevin Andrews was named Thursday to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team.  He is the only NCAA Division II player on either the first or second team.  District V consists of student-athletes from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools from the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.  Sports information directors in the district select the all-academic team.  Andrews, who carries a 3.85 GPA, was a third team honore last season.

About Southwest Minnesota State: The Mustangs are 18-5 overall, 10-3 NSIC, following Tuesday night's 77-64 non-conference home win over NCAA Division I North Dakota.  SMSU broke open a 31-31 halftime score with a 25-10 run in the first nine minutes of the second half and never looked back.  The Mustangs finished the game connecting on a season-high 31 free throws on 39 attempts.  Nick Dale paced the SMSU offense with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Andy Beilke added 15 points on 5 of 8 shooting in his first start of the season and just the third of his career.
     Kevin Andrews leads SMSU in scoring this season with 9.0 points per game and is third with 22 three-pointers.  Ross DeMasi is averaging 8.9 ppg and a team-best 9.7 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-high 55.3 percent.  Andrew Peschong is the team leader in assists with 74, while Andrews leads the team with 24 steals.  SMSU is averaging 73.3 points per game, while allowing 63.7 ppg, and is outrebounding opponents by a 40.5 to 30.8 per game margin.

Mustang Minutes: Senior Ross DeMasi needs one rebound to move into a tie for fourth all-time at SMSU?with Scott Koenen with 648 ... SMSU begins the week ranked first in the NSIC?(conf. games only) in scoring defense (62.5), rebound margin (+7.8) and turnover margin (+2.77) and second in steals (8.2) ... SMSU seniors Ryan Krome (111) and Ross DeMasi (107) are two of just 18 Mustang players all-time to appear in 100 career games ... Krome became the 13th player in school history to reach 200 career assists in the win over UND on Feb. 3, and now has 201 ... junior Andrew Peschong ranks ninth in school history with 228 assists ... SMSU senior Ross DeMasi begins the week ranked first in the conference in rebounding (8.6) and is ninth in field goal pct. (.556) ...?SMSU has won 11 games away from Marshall this season after recording just five road or neutral site victories all of last season ... senior Ross DeMasi has recorded 10 double figure rebounding games this season, including three games with 16 rebounds ... SMSU has made more three-pointers than its opponents in 15 of 23 games.

Season Victory Total Among the Best:?SMSU's 18 victories so far this season is tied for the fifth most in one season in the program's 42-year history.  SMSU has now recorded six seasons with 18 or more victories with three of them coming under the direction of head coach Greg Stemen.

Winning Streak Reaches Eight: SMSU is currently on an eight-game winning streak ranking as the second longest winning streak in school history.  The school record is 17 straight wins set by the 2000-01 squad.

Winning Away From Home:?SMSU is a combined 11-3 this season in 14 road and neutral site games.  The 11 victories ranks as the second most road/neutral site victories in a single season in school history.  The 2000-01 team holds the school record with 16 total victories (10 away/six neutral) away from Marshall.  SMSU?is 7-2 in road games this season with the last SMSU squad to have a winning record on the road coming during the 2002-03 season (7-5).

Record After 23 Games: SMSU's 18-5 record after 23 games ranks as the second best start in school history.  Only the 2000-01 squad, which was 19-4 after 23 games had a better record.  If SMSU wins twice this weekend, its 20-5 record would tie the 2000-01 team with the best record ever after 25 games.  The 2000-01 team would go on to finish 28-7 and win the NSIC?and NCAA?regional championships. 

Free Throw Shooting Improving: SMSU is shooting 66.3 percent from the free throw line this season ranking 200th in the country (through games Feb. 1).  This is a major improvement from mid-December when SMSU ranked 252nd at 59.3 percent.  SMSU has shot better than its season average in nine of its last 11 games and in five of the last 10 games the Mustangs have shot 81 percent or better.  SMSU did struggle last weekend in wins over Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State combining to make just 22 of 40 free throws, but bounded back nicely in the win over North Dakota on Tuesday night making 31 of 39 free throws.   

DeMasi and SMSU?Rank High in NCAA?Stats:?Senior Ross DeMasi ranks 18th in the nation in rebounds per game with 9.8, according to the latest NCAA II?stats released on Tuesday, Feb. 3.  SMSU ranks eighth in the nation in rebounding margin at plus-9.8, 15th in turnovers per game (12.1) and 27th in assist/turnover ratio (1.25).  For a complete list at where SMSU and Mustang individuals rank in the NSIC?and NCAA?stats, see page 5 of release.

More DeMasi in NCAA?Rankings:?Three times this season senior Ross DeMasi has recorded 16 rebounds in a game (vs. Ft. Lewis, South Dakota and Sioux Falls).  The 16 rebounds are tied for the 19th highest single-game total in NCAA?II this season.  Nate Flowers from Montevallo (Ark.) has the 2008-09 NCAA?II?single-game high of 28 rebounds.

About MSU?Moorhead: The Dragons, 7-11 overall, 4-9 NSIC, are on a two-game winning streak defeating Northern State and Mary at home last weekend.  MSUM?is currently tied for 10th in the NSIC?standings.  Senior guard Justyn Burgess is the lone Dragon averaging in double figures with 14.4 ppg and shooting 48.5 percent from the field.  Redshirt freshman guard Andrew Van Havermaet leads the team with 27 three-pointers and is second in scoring with 8.9 ppg.  MSUM?head coach Stu Engen is in his seventh season with a record of 89-98.

About Minnesota, Crookston: The Golden Eagles, 4-16 overall, 2-11, are currently in last place in the NSIC?and host Minnesota State, Mankato on Friday night.  Sophomore guard Akim Cubee leads the squad in scoring with 12.4 ppg and is tied for the team lead in three-pointers with 22.  Junior guard Bryce Cummings also has connected on 22 three-pointers and averages 6.9 ppg.  UMC?head coach Jeff Oseth is in his seventh season with a record of 31-151.

The Series Match-Up: Southwest Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead meet for the 89th time with MSUM leading 50-38, including 27-13 in games played in Moorhead.  SMSU has won four straight in the series including an 81-65 victory in Marshall on Jan. 2.  SMSU built a 13-point halftime lead in the victory and never looked back as SMSU held a 51-27 rebound advantage and outscored MSUM?27-7 on second chance points.  Jon DeRock and Ross DeMasi each scored 13 points to lead a balanced Mustang scoring attack.  Justyn Burgess led MSUM?with 17 points.
     Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota, Crookston meet for the 25th time with SMSU leading 21-3 and holds a 9-2 advantage in games played in Crookston.  SMSU has won 10 straight in the series and earned a 75-68 home win on Jan. 3 in the first meeting this season.  The Mustangs opened up a tight 66-62 lead with 2:40 remaining in the game, by making seven of eight free throws in the final 1:44 to seal the victory.  DeMasi led SMSU with 16 points, while Akeem Cubie poured in 24 points on 11 of 18 shooting for the Golden Eagles.
(Series information and all-time scores on page 2 & 3)

SMSU?Appears in Top 25:  SMSU spent two weeks earlier this season ranked in NABC Top 25 national poll.  SMSU was No. 19 in the first regular season poll released on Nov. 25, before dropping to No. 24 in the Dec. 2 ranking.  SMSU's national ranking marked the first time since Dec. 3, 2001, that SMSU appeared in the national poll.  SMSU has been in the national poll 10 weeks in school history, including seven weeks in 2000-01, one week in 2001-02 and the two weeks this season.

Mustang Bench Key to Start: One of the keys to SMSU's 18-5 record this season has been its tremendous depth and great play by its non-starters.  Ten players have appeared in all 23 games this season and all 10 are averaging at least 13.5 minutes per game.  Mustang non-starters are averaging 33.1 points per game compared to just 18.7 by their opponents.  The SMSU bench has outscored its opponents bench players in 21 of 23 games this season.  Below is a look at the season stats for the SMSU and opponents' bench players.
Bench         FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    SMSU        .430    .385    .652    17.3    33.1
Opp.        .464    .382    .748    13.8    18.7   

Keepin' the Opponent Under 70:?Defense has been a trademark for Mustang basketball under head coach Greg Stemen.  During Stemen's now eight years as head coach, SMSU is 99-18 overall, including 17-1 this season, when limiting opponents to 69 points or less.

Consecutive Three-Point Games:?Southwest Minnesota State has connected on at least one three-point field goal in 306 straight games.  The last time SMSU failed to score a three-pointer was on Dec. 11, 1998 versus MSU?Moorhead in a game played at the North Dakota State Classic in Fargo.

SMSU Late in the Game:?Making plays down the stretch on both ends of the floor is a major key for teams in earning victories.  The following is SMSU's and its opponents' statistical averages in the final five minutes this season:
<5 min.         FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO   
SMSU        .449    .235    .656    4.5    10.0    1.5
Opp.        .475    .317    .769    4.4    10.8    1.8

Mustangs Home and Away:?SMSU is 7-2 at home this year after?finishing 12-2 at home last season and setting a school record with 13 victories in 2006-07.  SMSU is a solid 11-3 away from home this season after earning just five road or neutral site victories all of last season.  Here is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2008-09:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO   
Home    7-2    .438    .345    .723    38.1    75.0    12.2   
Away    11-3    .440    .356    .617    42.0    72.3    12.1

Krome All-Time at the Line:?Senior Ryan Krome ranks seventh in school history for career free throw percentage at 80.8 percent (189 of 234).
    1.     .853    Matt Fletcher (198-232) - 2004-08
    2.     .845    Jacob Fahl (377-446) - 1999-03
    3.     .841     Sam Leggett (212-252) - 1974-76
    4.     .836    Jared Keaveny (107-128) - 2002-04
    5.     .826     Steve Elzenga (109-132) - 1983-86,87-88
    7.     .808    Ryan Krome (189-234) - 2005-09

DeMasi Climbing Record Books: Senior Ross DeMasi ranks among the top 10 in three categories in the SMSU career record book.  He is currently third all-time in field goal percentage at 56.2 percent (268 of 477), fifth in rebounds with 647 and 10th in blocked shots with 45. 
SMSU All-Time Rebounds
    1.     848    Frank Belmont  - 1971-75
    2.     717     Mike Tobin  - 1982-86
    3.     713      Mike Lang - 1968-72
    4.     648    Scott Koenen  - 1998-01
5.    647    Ross DeMasi  - 2005-09

SMSU All-Time Field Goal Percentage
    1.     .573    Doug Imming (323-564) - 1979-83
    2.    .572    Mike Koenen (218-381) - 1997-99
3.    .562    Ross DeMasi (268-477) - 2005-09

Peschong Moving Up in Assists: Junior Andrew Peschong is now ninth in school history with 227 career assists.  He trails Matt Fletcher for eighth all-time by nine assists.
    1.     304    Marques Pena - 1998-01
    2.     291    Chad Oletzke - 1992-95, 96-97
    3.     286    Brad Bigler - 1997-98,99-02
    4.     271    Mike Tobin - 1982-86
    5.     260    Jacob Fahl - 1999-03
    6.     253    Charlie Taylor - 1981-83
    7.     245    Juan Mitchell - 1983-87
    8.     236    Matt Fletcher - 2004-08
    9.     228    Andrew Peschong - 2006-09

Mustangs On the Boards Strong Again: SMSU has outrebounded its opponents in 20 of 23 games and have a plus-9.7 rebound advantage on the season.  This is a trend that has been a trademark of head coach Greg Stemen's teams in recent years.  Last season the Mustangs recorded the same or had more rebounds than its opponents in 25 of 29 games and finished the season with a plus-4.6 rebound advantage per game.  During the 2006-07 season, SMSU led the NSIC in rebound margin with a 5.5 advantage per game in 18 conference games. 

Rebounding Key for SMSU Victories:?As noted in the information above, SMSU has been a strong rebounding team and is 49-12 when even or outrebounding its opponents since the start of the 2006-07 season, including 16-4 this season.  During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure, SMSU?is 108-38 when tied or outrebounding its opponent but just 23-57 when being outrebounded.

SMSU's 4-0 Start Ties for Best in History:?SMSU's 4-0 start this season tied the school record for the best start to a season.  The 1998-99 team also began the season perfect after four games but lost its fifth game of the season to Valley City State.  SMSU's chance for a 5-0 start ended with a 78-74 loss to Augustana at the NSIC?HoopsFest in Sioux Falls, S.D.  No team in school history has ever began a season 5-0. 

Another Solid Start Statistic:?SMSU's 6-1 record to start this season tied the school record for the best start to a season after seven games.  The 1974-75 and 2006-07 also started the season 6-1, but only the 2006-07 team won its eighth game of the season to improve to 7-1.

Mustangs Make R/A Home Sweet Home:?This season marks the 13th year that the R/A Facility has been the home arena for SMSU basketball and its proven to be a tough place for opponents to play in.  SMSU?has compiled a record of 126-47 (.728) in 173 games and has had just one losing season in the arena.  SMSU has recorded double figure victories in three straight seasons.
Year    Overall    NSIC    Non-Conf.
1996-97    6-4    3-2    3-2     
1997-98    8-5    4-2    4-3     
1998-99    10-3    5-1    5-2     
1999-00    12-3    7-2    5-1     
2000-01    12-1    9-0    3-1     
2001-02    12-2    7-2    5-0     
2002-03    9-5    7-2    2-3
2003-04    9-5    5-3    4-2     
2004-05    6-8    3-4    3-4
2005-06    10-5    3-4    7-1   
2006-07    13-2    8-1    5-1
2007-08    12-2    7-2    5-0
2008-09    7-2    5-2    2-0
Totals    126-47     73-27    53-20

2008 Disney Classic Champions: SMSU won the second annual Disney West Coast Classic earlier this season in Anaheim, Calif., finishing with a 3-0 record.  SMSU's three victories came against teams that advanced to last season's NCAA?tournament.  Senior forward Ross DeMasi was named Most Valuable Player while junior guard Jon DeRock was named to the all-tournament team.

Mustangs Hit the Century Mark:?Southwest Minnesota State scored 103 points in a 103-52 victory over Humboldt State (Calif.) on Nov. 8 at the Disney Classic in Anaheim, Calif.  It was the first time SMSU reached the 100 points scored mark since Dec. 2, 2003, and the 38th all-time.  SMSU is now 32-6 in school history when scoring 100 points including 3-0 under head coach Greg Stemen.

SMSU Begins Season on the Road:?SMSU began the season with its first six games away from home marking the longest stretch of road or neutral site games to begin a season in school history.  In fact the six games away from home is the longest stretch of road or neutral site games since the end of the 2000-01 season when SMSU?finished the year playing six straight neutral site games in the NSIC?and NCAA?tournament.

Kevin Andrews 08-09 Notes:?Ranks first on the team in scoring ... tied career-high with 23 points vs. Sioux Falls (12/30) ... has started all 23 games ... third on the team with 22 three-pointers ... third in assists with 47 ... has not missed a game in his career.

Andy Beilke 08-09 Notes:?Team co-captain ... has played in all 23 games with one start ... averaging 7.8 points per game ... second on the team in three-pointers with 29 ... scored career-high 18 points vs. Mary (12/13) including hitting game-winning three-pointer.

Zach Bruns 08-09 Notes:?Has played in one game ... missed most of last season with an injury.

Trent Carlson 08-09 Notes:?Has played in six games scoring 23 points ... scored eight points with two three-pointers vs. Humboldt State ... redshirt in 2007-08.

Nick Dale 08-09 Notes:?Has started 10 games ... leads team with 23 blocked shots ... second on the team in rebounding with 4.8 ... scored career-high 18 points in win over St. Cloud State (1/16) and North Dakota (2/3) ... recorded first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds vs. Minnesota State (12/6).

Ross DeMasi 08-09 Notes:?Named MVP?of Disney West Coast Classic ... leads team in rebounding with 9.7 per game ... has started all 23 games ... has five double-doubles this season and 12 in his career ... scored season-high 15 points vs. Minn., Crookston ... grabbed career-high 16 rebounds vs. Fort Lewis, South Dakota and Sioux Falls ... averaging team-high 28.8 minutes per game ... has grabbed double digit rebounds in 10 games.

Jon DeRock 08-09 Notes:?Second on the team in scoring with 8.9 per game ... team leader with 39 three-pointers ... scored season-high 24 points vs. North Dakota connecting on seven three-pointers ... named to all-classic team at the Disney West Coast Classic.

Taylor Huseby 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 23 games with 12 starts ... scored career-high 22 points in win over St. Cloud State (1/16) ... shooting 51.8 percent from the field ... played career-high 30 minutes vs. Wayne State (1/24).

Ryan Krome 08-09 Notes:?Team co-captain ... has started all 23 games ... ranks seventh in school history in free throw shooting ... second on the team with 50 assists ... has not missed a game in his career.

Andrew Peschong 08-09 Notes:?Has started 14 games ... leads team with 74 assists ... tied for team lead with 22 steals ... scored career-high 20 points vs. Northwestern (12/3) ... dished out career-high eight assists vs. Minnesota State (12/6) and Mary (12/13).

Scott Roehl 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 23 games ... averaging 3.6 rebounds per game ... scored season-high 12 points on 4 of 4 shooting vs. Concordia (1/17) ... set career-high with nine rebounds vs. South Dakota (12/22).

Kevin Smith 08-09 Notes:?Has played in eight games scoring 14 points ... redshirt in 2007-08.

DeAnthony Zanders 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 23 games ... fourth on the team with 42 assists ... scored career-high nine points twice vs. Upper Iowa (11/30 & 1/10) ... transfer from Iowa Western C.C.

An R/A Facility First:?The Dec. 6 game between SMSU, ranked No. 24, and Minnesota?State, Mankato, ranked No. 8, was the first men's basketball game ever played at the R/A Facility between two teams ranked in the latest NABC Top 25 poll.

The 2008-09 Schedule: Southwest Minnesota State is playing one of its most challenging schedules in school history this season.  SMSU is scheduled to play 30 regular season games, which includes playing in the Disney West Coast Classic.  The Mustangs will play 13?games against teams that played in last year's NCAA?tournament or that are in transition to NCAA Division I.  SMSU will also play one game versus NAIA?national tournament qualifier Northwestern College (Iowa).

SMSU Versus Nationally Ranked Opponents:? SMSU is 2-1 versus nationally ranked opponents this season defeating No. 24 Fort Lewis on Nov. 9 at the Disney Classic and No. 22 Augustana at home on Jan. 23.  SMSU's lone loss was a home to No. 8 Minnesota State, Mankato on Dec. 6.  Last season SMSU finished 1-5 versus Top 25 teams losing to No. 10 Southern Indiana, beating No. 14 St. Cloud State, before losing to No. 5 Winona State, No. 8 Northern State, No. 3 Winona State and to No. 4 Northern State.  During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure as head coach SMSU is 3-23 versus nationally ranked teams.

SMSU Signs Three In Early Signing Period:?SMSU head coach Greg Stemen has announced that three high school standouts have signed letters of intent to play basketball for SMSU starting in 2009-10.  The three players who signed during the early signing period include 6-4 forward Billy Giddings from Blaine, Minn., 6-10 center Deryck Ludwig from Prior Lake, Minn., and 6-2 guard Matt Zager from Shakopee, Minn.

Remembering AW: Southwest Minnesota State will be wearing the initials “AW” on the back of its uniforms this season following the death of former men's basketball player Andy Wiersma. Wiersma died in a car accident south of Marshall on July 27.  Wiersma played at SMSU from 2001-06 and following his senior season the men's basketball program honored Wiersma by renaming its “Mustang Award” the “Andy Wiersma Mustang Award”.  The award is given each year to an SMSU men's basketball player who exemplifies the qualities of being a Mustang men's basketball student-athlete.

Mustangs Finish High in NSIC Standings Again:?Southwest Minnesota State's third place finish in the NSIC?last season was its fifth top half finish in Greg Stemen's seven seasons as head coach.  SMSU has finished second twice, third twice and fourth once during his tenure.  SMSU has finished among the top four in the conference 11 times in the last 13 seasons.

SMSU Versus Division I?Competition:?SMSU is now 3-7 all-time against NCAA?Division I?school, including 2-1 this season, after defeating North Dakota 77-64 on Feb. 3.  SMSU dropped a 73-69 road decision earlier this season to South Dakota on Dec. 22, while earlier in the season earned a 78-73 road victory over North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D., on Nov. 18.  SMSU's other Division I?win came during the 2004-05 season at South Dakota State (93-55).  SMSU has played several Division I schools in exhibition play during the past five years including Northern Iowa, Drake, Minnesota and South Dakota State.  SMSU defeated South Dakota State in an exhibition game this season 70-65 in Brookings, S.D.

History of the Program:?Southwest Minnesota State is in its 42nd season of men's basketball in 2008-09 and has played 1,132 games with an all-time record of 482-650.  SMSU has racked up 17 winning seasons all-time with 11 coming in the last 14 years (including this season).  The 2000-01 squad won a school record 28 games and captured the program's lone NSIC?championship, while also winning the NCAA?regional championship and advancing to the NCAA?Elite Eight.

SMSU Men's Basketball in NSIC Action:?The 2008-09 season marks the 40th year that SMSU men's basketball has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  SMSU has compiled an all-time record of 242-301 (.445) in 543 conference games finishing in the top half of the final conference standings 18 times in 39 seasons.  SMSU has had much better success in the conference in recent years, having finished in the top half of the standings in 10 of the last 13 seasons and has recorded a conference record of 135-78 (.633) in 213 games since the 1995-96 season.

Internet Radio, Video & Stats: All SMSU?men's basketball games during the 2008-09 season can be seen and heard on the Internet.  A video Webcast is available for all home games and conference games free of charge at www.northernsun.tv while the radio broadcast is available at www.SMSUmustangs.com.  Fans can also follow the game on the Internet with live in-game statistics for all home games at www.SMSUmustangs.com and clicking on the “live stats”?link on the right side of the men's basketball page.

Radio Broadcasts:?SMSU?men's basketball will once again be heard all season long on KARL 105.1 FM, Marshall.  Sports director Aaron Ziemer will handle the play-by-play for a sixth straight season.