THIS WEEK - Southwest Minnesota State University (10-9, 7-5 NSIC) returns home for a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games this weekend at the R/A Facility.  SMSU faces Upper Iowa University (13-5, 9-3 NSIC) on Friday, Jan. 25, with tip-off slated for 8 p.m., before taking on No. 25 Winona State University (16-3, 10-2 NSIC) on Saturday, Jan. 26, with game time set for 7 p.m.  Saturday's game is the annual “Hawaiian Night” game in which fans are encouraged to dress in “tropical” wear to cheer on the Mustangs and forget about the cold, winter season.  SMSU begins the weekend fifth in the NSIC South Division standings and eighth overall.  UIU is third in the NSIC South and tied for third overall, while WSU is second in the NSIC South and second overall.  

LAST TIME OUT - Southwest Minnesota State earned two road victories last weekend, defeating Northern State 62-61 and MSU Moorhead 86-82 in overtime.  In the victory at NSU, Nick Smith scored the game-winning field goal with 2.9 seconds remaining to lead the Mustangs.  Smith finished with a game-high 14 points and also added four blocked shots and three rebounds.  SMSU never trailed in the game until NSU took its first lead with 35 seconds remaining.  In the win over MSUM, SMSU rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit and held a 74-71 in the closing seconds of regulation before the Dragons sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer with six seconds left.  In the overtime, SMSU made 5 of 7 shots and made two free throws to earn the victory.  Smith led SMSU with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Tramel Barnes chipped in a season-high 14 points with six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

RANKED OPPONENTS - Southwest Minnesota State is 0-2 this season versus Top 25 teams, following losses to then-No. 21 Minnesota State, Mankato on Dec. 14 and to then-No. 24 Northwest Missouri State on Nov. 25.  SMSU's last win over a Top 25 team was on Feb. 11, 2012, at No. 24 St. Cloud State 85-69.

LOOKING TO CLOSE OUT THE CLOSE ONES - Southwest Minnesota State has suffered numerous heartbreaking losses this season, including all five conference setbacks.  In its five NSIC losses, SMSU has had the lead with four minutes or less in the second half in every game and in six of its nine losses overall the Mustangs have held a lead with five minutes or less.

> SMSU Release

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