BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State used a 16-0 run that carried over from the end of the first half into the second half and went on to earn a 92-69 non-conference victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Tuesday night.
Tonight's game was SMSU's second against an NCAA Division I team during the non-conference season. SMSU (2-4, 1-1 NSIC) lost 71-65 in the season opener to Wisconsin-Milwaukee (8-1) on Nov. 12.
The game was tied at 30 with three minutes and 49 seconds left in the first half, but SDSU (7-3, 2-0 Summit League) scored the final 11 points of the half to take an 11-point halftime lead.
Vinard Birch scored a career-high 15 points on 6 of 6 shooting and dished out six assists to pace SMSU.
Jordan Miller finished with 18 points, while
Lavione West added a season-high 13 points for the Mustangs.
The two teams battled in the opening half with eight lead changes and nine ties in the first 17 minutes as the teams were tied at 30 with three minutes and 49 seconds left in the half. SDSU though answered with an 11-0 run in the final minutes to build a 41-30 halftime lead. SMSU was held to just four points in the final 6:27 of the half.
SDSU forced eight first half turnovers and limited SMSU to just 2 of 11 shooting from 3-point range in the first half.
The Jackrabbits continued to extend the lead in the second half with strong play on both ends of the floor. SMSU didn't hit its first field goal of the second half until 14 minutes remained in the game.
Taevaunn Prince scored 16 points to lead SDSU.
SDSU finished the game shooting 52.5 percent (32 of 61) from the field and held a 38-28 rebound advantage, while forcing SMSU into a season-high 18 turnovers.
SMSU ended the game shooting 49 percent (28 of 57) and was 5 of 18 from 3-point range.
Southwest Minnesota State will return to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Friday night hosting St. Cloud State (6-0, 2-0 NSIC) at 8 p.m. for the 2011-12 home opener. Friday's game begins a four-game homestand. SMSU will take on Concordia, St. Paul on Saturday night.
