BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. - Jordan Miller, Nick Smith and Lavione West each scored 15 points to lead Southwest Minnesota State to a hard-fought 69-58 victory over Grand Canyon (Ariz.) on Sunday afternoon at the Disney Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

After dropping its first game of the Disney Classic on Friday to Cal State Dominguez Hills, SMSU (2-1) rebounded to win its last two games.  SMSU defeated UNC-Pembroke on Saturday night 77-58.

Smith finished the game grabbing a team-high nine rebounds, while West finished 12 of 12 from the free throw line.  West was one free throw shy of tying the school record for free throws made in a single game and also added five rebounds and four assists in the win.

The Mustangs committed just nine turnovers in the game and shot 38 percent (21 of 55) from the field and an impressive 88 percent (22 of 25) from the foul line.

Grand Canyon (1-2), a 2012 NCAA tournament team and favorites to win the PacWest Conference in 2013, held a 13-9 lead with 11 minutes and 18 seconds remaining in the first half, before SMSU reeled off eight straight points to build a 17-13 lead with 9:13 remaining.  A basket by Jordan Buddenhagen gave SMSU the lead, before West closed the run with a pair of free throws.

The Antelopes held their last lead at 20-19 with six minutes left in the half, before the Mustangs close the half on an 11-2 run to build a 30-22 halftime lead.  SMSU held GCU to just 32 percent shooting in the opening half.

SMSU started the second half strong and built a 38-28 lead with 15:36 left in the game on a layup by Smith.  Miller extended the lead to 46-34, its largest lead of the game, with a 3-pointer at the 11:50 mark, before GCU slowed clawed its way back into the game.

GCU pulled to within 53-49 with six minutes remaining following four straight points by Brad Carroll, but SMSU answered with a Vinard Birch layup to end the mini-run.  Following a missed 3-poitner by GCU, West hit one of the biggest shots of the game, drilling a 3-pointer with 4:23 left to push the lead to 58-49.

William Giddings added seven points and four rebounds with Tramel Barnes and Birch each adding six points apiece.  Miller ended the game connecting on a game-high four 3-pointers. 

SMSU played without starter Matt Zager, who missed the game with an injury.

Killian Larson led GCU with 19 points and 11 rebounds.  Joshua Lowery, a transfer from NCAA Division I Pepperdine, was held to four points on 2 of 6 shooting.

Southwest Minnesota State continues non-conference action with the 2012-13 home opener on Thursday night taking on Michigan Tech at the PE Gym starting at 7 p.m.  The game was moved from the R/A Facility due to a schedule conflict in the arena.