MARSHALL, Minn. – Vinard Birch scored a career-high 20 points and also added four rebounds, four assists and two steals to lead Southwest Minnesota State to an 85-81 victory over St. Cloud State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Friday night.

The game was tied 10 times and featured 16 lead changes.  It was the first home game of the regular season for SMSU and improves to 3-4 overall, 2-1 NSIC.  SCSU lost for the first time this season and is 6-1 overall, 2-1 NSIC.

Nick Smith also scored a career-high 14 points for SMSU and sealed the game with a pair of clutch free throws with 12 seconds left in the game.

The second half had 12 lead changes with the final coming with 1:30 left in the game as Birch scored on a jumper to give SMSU a 77-75 lead.  Following a missed SCSU shot on the ensuing possession, Birch made 1 of 2 free throws to give the Mustangs a three-point lead.

Tramel Barnes connected on two free throws to give SMSU an 80-75 lead with 43 seconds remaining, before a three-point by SCSU cut the deficit to 80-78 with 37 seconds on the clock.

Jordan Miller pushed the lead to 82-78 with a pair of free throws with 28 seconds remaining, before Smith made one of two free throws with 24 seconds on the clock to give SMSU an 83-78 lead.

SCSU's Damarius Cruz connected on a 3-point field goal with 12 seconds left to keep the Huskies alive, but Smith sealed the win with a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 85-81.

The two teams exchanged the lead four times in the first half with SCSU building its biggest lead at 15-11 with 12:17 on the clock, before SMSU answered with a run to take a 23-17 lead midway through the half.  SMSU built its lead to as many seven late in the half before settling for a 34-29 halftime lead.

Tim Bergstraser led SCSU with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Southwest Minnesota State will host Concordia, St. Paul tomorrow night starting at 8 p.m.