THIS WEEK - The Southwest Minnesota State University (4-4, 2-1 NSIC) men's basketball team - coming off a pair of home victories last weekend - will head to road for a pair of conference games this week. SMSU will take on Upper Iowa University (3-6, 1-2 NSIC) on Friday, Dec. 13, with tip-off slated for 8 p.m. at Dorman Gym in Fayette, Iowa. SMSU will then face Winona State University (7-2, 3-0 NSIC) on Saturday, Dec. 14, with game time set for 6 p.m. at McCown Gym in Winona, Minn. SMSU will return home next week for a pair of games at the R/A Facility. The Mustangs will take on Wisconsin-LaCrosse in non-conference play on Dec. 19, before facing Sioux Falls for a conference match-up on Dec. 21.
MUSTANG QUICK HITTERS -
•SMSU ranks 38th in Division II in rebound margin (+7.9).
•SMSU has shot 50 percent or better from the field in six of eight games.
•SMSU has struggled with turnovers this season averaging 14.1 per game which ranks 187th in Division II, while ranking 250th in turnover margin (-2.9). SMSU was much better last weekend recording a combined 16 turnovers in the two victories.
•SMSU committed a season-low seven turnovers in the win over Wayne State.
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Nick Smith scored a season-high 22 points versus Wayne State. It was his sixth career 20-point game.
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Joey Bartlett scored a career-high 12 points in the win over Augustana.
•Bartlett started the first two games of his career last weekend versus Augustana and Wayne State.
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Mitch Weg tied a career-high with nine rebounds versus Augustana.
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Shaun Condon scored a career-high 19 points on 6 of 12 shooting at Sioux Falls.
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Cole Martin has missed the past three games due to an injury.
•SMSU has shot 60 percent or higher in the second half in three games this season.
•SMSU shot 81.3 percent from the field in the second half in the win at Northern Michigan. It was the second time this season SMSU has shot 70 percent or higher in one half.
•Three opponents have shot 50 percent or higher this season through eight games. Only four teams shot 50 percent or better from the field versus SMSU last season.
•Senior
Nick Smith ranks 39th in Division II with 16 blocked shots this season and is ranked sixth among all active Division II players with 137 career blocked shots.
