BEMIDJI, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State made just two field goals in the final 10 minutes of the game and dropped a 68-61 decision to Michigan Tech on Friday night at the InnKeepers Beavers Classic hosted by Bemidji State.

SMSU held a 53-52 lead with 10:07 remaining in the game and pushed the margin to 55-52 with eight minutes on the clock, but a tough MTU defense limited SMSU down the stretch to earn the victory.

SMSU (0-2) was led by Jordan Miller with 15 points and seven rebounds while Matt Zager added 10 points.  Nick Smith had a solid game for the Mustangs with eight points and a team-high eight rebounds. 

Tramel Barnes hit a pair of free throws with 2:37 remaining in the game to cut the MTU lead to 63-61.  The SMSU defense held MTU scoreless in the next two minutes, but the Mustangs failed to tie or take the lead on four different occasions in the final two minutes of the game.  MTU closed the game out making five of six free throws in the final 27 seconds of the game.

SMSU started the game strong connecting on 10 of its first 14 shots from the field to build a 23-13 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half.

Michigan Tech, which was picked to win the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference North Division, then responded in a big way putting together a 14-2 run over the next four and a half minutes, to take its first lead of the game at 27-25 at the 5:37 mark.

The Huskies built its largest lead at 32-27 with 3:15 remaining before settling for a 34-31 halftime lead.

SMSU shot 48 percent from the field in the opening half, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range.  MTU also shot well in the first half, shooting 50 percent and drilling 4 of 8 3-point field goals.

SMSU tied the game at 42 following a 3-pointer by Trent Carlson, but the Huskies came back with an 8-2 run to take a 50-44 lead with 12:57 remaining in the second half.

The Mustangs had an answer of their own and regained the lead at 53-52 with 10:07 left in the game following a basket by Nick Smith.  The lead moved to 55-52 with a pair of Vinard Birch free throws at the 8:10 mark, but SMSU would make just one field goal over the next four minutes as MTU took a 61-57 lead with 4:23 left in the game and SMSU was not able to recover.

SMSU shot just 35 percent in the second half and finished the game shooting 42 percent (22 of 52).

Ali Hader led Michigan Tech with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Southwest Minnesota State closes out the two-day classic tomorrow afternoon taking on future Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe Minot State with tip-off slated for 5 p.m.