THIS WEEK - Southwest Minnesota State University (11-10, 8-6 NSIC) continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action this weekend with a pair of road games versus NSIC North Division foes.  SMSU faces Bemidji State University (9-9, 7-7 NSIC) on Friday, Feb. 1, with tip-off slated for 8 p.m., before taking the University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-15, 0-14 NSIC) on Saturday, Feb. 2, with game time set for 6 p.m.  SMSU begins the weekend fifth in the NSIC South Division standings and eighth overall.  BSU currently sits in fourth in the NSIC South and ninth overall, while UMC is last in both the NSIC North and overall. 
     BSU begins the weekend ranked fourth in the NSIC in 3-point field goals made (104), fifth in scoring defense (64.5) and fifth in 3-point field goal pct. defense (.324).  UMC ranks last in the NSIC in scoring (53.8).
      Following this weekend's games, SMSU will return to the R/A Facility to begin a four-game homestand on Feb. 8.

LAST TIME OUT - Southwest Minnesota State split a pair of home games last weekend and in the process had its season-long three-game winning streak snapped.  SMSU defeated Upper Iowa 74-55 on Friday night, shooting 54.3 percent from the field, while limiting UIU to just 38 percent shooting.  SMSU had five players score in double figures with Jordan Miller leading the way with 18 points.  In Saturday's loss to No. 25 Winona State, SMSU shot a season-low 33.9 percent, was outscored 16-0 on fast-break points and 42-22 on points in the paint.  Miller led the Mustangs with 17 points and eight rebounds.  SMSU trailed 52-50 with 10:30 left in the game, but WSU then held SMSU scoreless for four minutes to pull away for the victory.  SMSU made 35 of 40 free throw attempts in the two games.

MUSTANGS  HAVE SUFFERED SOME TOUGH LOSSES - Southwest Minnesota State has suffered numerous heartbreaking losses this season, including five in conference play.  In five of its NSIC losses, SMSU has had the lead with four minutes or less in the second half in every game and in six of its 10 losses overall the Mustangs have held a lead with five minutes or less in the game.

NCAA STATS - Southwest Minnesota State ranks among the top 30 nationally in three categories in the NCAA statistics report through Sunday, Jan. 27, including seventh in free throw pct., 26th in field goal pct. and 29th in turnovers per game.  Individually, Jordan Miller ranks 13th in free throw pct., while Nick Smith ranks 32nd in field goal pct. and 44th in blocked shots.  See chart on page 2 for all NSIC and NCAA statistics.

> SMSU Release

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