BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. – Senior Scott Roehl (Princeton, Minn.) hit two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to lift Southwest Minnesota State to a thrilling 47-46 come-from-behind victory over Northwest Missouri State on Saturday in Marshall.

SMSU (3-1) ended the game on an 10-0 run in the final two minutes and 51 seconds to steal the victory and overcome poor shooting.  The Mustangs shot just 29.2 percent (14 of 48) from the field and made just 14 of 22 free throw shots in the game.  It was the second win for SMSU over Northwest this season after earning a 72-67 victory in Maryville, Mo., on Nov. 14.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Northwest Missouri State, who falls to 2-2 overall.

Jordan Miller led SMSU with his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Roehl finished with nine points and five rebounds.  Trent Carlson added eight points off the bench, while connecting on a pair of 3-pointers.

Elijah Allen paced the Bearcats with 20 points on 6 of 13 shooting.

Both teams struggled in the opening half as the two teams combined to make just nine of 42 shots in the first 20 minutes as SMSU took an 18-16 lead into halftime.  It was the first time SMSU was held to under 20 points in half since Jan. 24, 2009, versus Wayne State.

SMSU held a pair of three-point leads early in the second half, including 28-25 with 14:03 left following a Taylor Huseby field goal.

The Bearcats then started its second half push and over the next 10 minutes held SMSU to just nine points to build a 43-34 lead with 4:37 left in the game.  Northwest maintained a nine-point lead, 46-37 with 3:13 left following a three-point play by the Bearcats' Dillon Starzl. 

SMSU then made its amazing run over the next three minutes with clutch shooting a strong defense.  Miller cut the lead to 46-40 with a three-point play with 2:51 remaining and following a missed 3-pointer by the Bearcats, Miller trimmed the lead to 46-43 as he connected on a 3-pointer with 2:08 on the clock.  Roehl then forced a turnover and on SMSU's next possession, Roehl nailed a jumper with 1:24 left to cut the deficit to 46-45.

The Mustang defense came up strong again as Huseby stole the ball from with 45 seconds left giving SMSU a chance to take the lead.  Roehl was fouled with 19 seconds left and stepped to the free throw line with a 1-and-1.  Roehl missed the free throw, but Carlson grabbed his only rebound of the game to keep SMSU with possession and another chance to win the game.  Following an SMSU timeout, Roehl was fouled near the basket with 2.1 seconds left and calmly drained both free throws to give SMSU the victory.

SMSU finished the game with a 38-33 rebound advantage and held a 12-3 advantage in second chance points. 

The Mustangs will now open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play next weekend with a pair of home games.  SMSU will take on Augustana College on Friday, Dec. 3, starting at 8 p.m., before facing Wayne State on Saturday night.