MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State had four players score in double figures, led by Jordan Miller's 17 points, to earn a 77-62 victory over the University of Mary on Friday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball.

Williams Giddings scored 15 points for SMSU (8-6 overall, 7-3 NSIC), while Nick Smith added 12 points and tied a career-high with nine rebounds.  Trent Carlson rounded out SMSU's double-figuring scoring with 11 points.

SMSU held a 41-33 halftime lead and then opened the second half scoring the first 13 points in the first six minutes of the half to build a 54-33 lead and never looked back.

The Mustangs finished the game shooting 49 percent (26 of 53) with eight 3-pointers and held a 39-30 rebound advantage. 

SMSU is now 5-0 all-time versus Mary in Marshall and leads 8-1 overall.

Vinard Birch also had a strong game for SMSU with five points, a game-high six assists, while also collecting three rebounds.

University of Mary (3-12 overall, 2-9 NSIC) held an early 7-3 lead before SMSU took its first lead of the game at 9-7 following a layup by Jordan Miller with 16 minutes and 19 seconds remaining in the half.

The Mustangs extended the lead to 10 points on four occasions in the half before settling for a 41-33 halftime lead.

Giddings led SMSU with 13 points in the opening half with three 3-pointers.  SMSU shot 53 percent in the half and held a 20-13 rebound advantage.

SMSU started the second half with a 3-pointer by Miller, a layup by Smith and a dunk by Smith to take a 48-33 lead.  The second half run was capped by a three-point play by Carlson with 16:03 on the clock to push the lead to 54-33.

SMSU's largest lead of the game came at 62-39 with 9:38 remaining in the game.

UMary had no one score in double figures, as Jalen Jaspers and Josh Turner each scored nine points.  The Marauders shot 40 percent (23 of 57) from the field and were just 5 of 22 from 3-point range.

Southwest Minnesota State will conclude its three-game homestand tomorrow night taking on Northern State (10-5 overall, 6-5 NSIC) with tip-off slated for 8 p.m.  NSU defeated Minnesota State on Friday night.