MARSHALL, Minn. – Andrew Peschong's 3-pointer with 1:22 left in the game and with the shot clock winding down, snapped a 62-62 tie and helped lead Southwest Minnesota State (11-8, 6-7 NSIC) to a thrilling 71-67 victory over Bemidji State (7-12, 4-9 NSIC) in front of 2,746 fans on “Hawaiian Night” in Marshall.

The 3-pointer for Peschong was just his fifth of the season and helped cap a record setting night for the senior.  Earlier in the evening, Peschong became SMSU's all-time leader in assists and now has amassed 308 in his career.  He broke the record of 304 previously held by Marques Pena (1998-2001).

Following Peschong's go-ahead basket, SMSU forced a missed 3-pointer by BSU's Burke Lendl and grabbed the defensive rebound.  The Mustangs then connected on 6 of 8 free throws in the final 24 seconds to seal the victory, its sixth straight “Hawaiian Night” win.  It was also the seventh straight victory for SMSU over BSU.

It was also a big night for SMSU's Kevin Andrews, who scored a season-high 19 points and also grabbed a season-high eight rebounds.  Andrews finished the game making 6 of 10 shots and drilled a career-high four 3-pointers on six attempts. 

In a game that featured 14 lead changes and was tied eight times, BSU took a 62-60 lead with two minutes and 40 seconds left on a field goal by Lendl.  SMSU answered on its next possession as Peschong was fouled and sank both free throws to tie the game with 2:13.  It was SMSU's first free throws in the second half.

Following a missed 3-pointer by BSU's Bryce Tesdahl, SMSU's Scott Roehl grabbed the rebound setting up Peschong's go-ahead basket.

In the first half, SMSU snapped an early 8-8 score with five straight points, including a 3-pointer by Trent Carlson and a basket by Scott Roehl, to take its largest lead of the first half at 13-8 with 14:10 left in the half.

BSU battled back with seven straight points to regain the lead at 15-13 with 12:09 remaining, before SMSU answered back with another run to build a 23-19 lead with 8:08 on the clock following a 3-pointer by Kevin Andrews.

The Beavers then countered with their own 9-0 run to regain the lead and eventually take a 37-31 halftime lead.

BSU held the lead for the first seven minutes of the second half before SMSU's Jordan Miller gave the Mustangs their first lead of the second half with a 3-pointer to make it 48-46 with 12:20 remaining. 

The two teams continued to battle over the next 10 minutes with neither holding a lead of more than four points.

SMSU played most of the game without senior guard DeAnthony Zanders, who was ejected with 48 seconds left in the opening half after a flagrant foul.

Bemidji State had four players in double figures with Tesdahl scoring 16 points, dishing out seven assists and grabbing a team-high six rebounds.

 Southwest Minnesota State continues its four-game homestand next Friday, Feb. 5, taking on MSU Moorhead starting at 8 p.m.