MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State's William Giddings scored a game-high 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting to lead SMSU to an 82-63 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball on Saturday night.

The 19-point victory was SMSU's largest over MSU in 12 all-time wins and snap's a two-game losing streak to MSU.  SMSU never trailed in the game and led by as many as 29 points in the second half.

SMSU (7-6 overall, 6-3 NSIC) shot 53.2 percent (33 of 62) from the field, held a 60-22 advantage in points in the paint and committed just eight turnovers. 

Matt Zager added 12 points, three steals and three assists for SMSU, while teammates Jordan Miller and Nick Smith both chipped in with 11 points each.

MSU (4-9 overall, 3-6 NSIC) held a 40-33 rebound advantage but shot just 35.6 percent from the field.

Both teams shot poorly in the first 10 minutes of the half with SMSU holding a 9-8 lead with 11 minutes and 55 seconds on clock.  The Mustangs then put together a 12-0 run in the next four minutes capped by back-to-back layups by Trent Carlson.

MSU cut the margin to 21-13 with 6:50 left, before SMSU closed the half on a 15-7 run to build a 36-20 halftime lead.  The first half ended with a quick scoring burst by SMSU in the closing seconds.  Vinard Birch scored on a layup with four seconds left and on the ensuing inbounds pass, Jordan Miller, intercepted an MSU pass and scored as the buzzer sounded to give the Mustangs a 16-point halftime advantage.

All nine SMSU players scored in the first half with Miller and Carlson leading the way with seven points each.  SMSU held MSU to just 22.6 percent shooting in the half and forced 10 turnovers.

SMSU was never threatened in the second half building a 42-22 lead with 17:42 left in the game following a layup by Smith. 

Trent Carlson added nine points for SMSU, while Lavione West and Casey Sussenguth each poured in six points.  Vinard Birch scored seven points and added four assists.

MSU was led by Kelly Madison's 14 points, while TJ Okafor added a team-high nine rebounds.

Southwest Minnesota State continues its three-game homestand next Friday, Jan. 13, taking on the University of Mary with tip-off slated for 8 p.m.