THIS WEEK - The Southwest Minnesota State University (5-5, 3-2 NSIC) men's basketball team will step out of conference play this Thursday, Dec. 19, to host the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (7-1, 3-0 WIAC) with tip-off set for 7 p.m. at the R/A Facility. SMSU will then return to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference on Saturday, Dec. 21, to host the University of Sioux Falls (5-4, 2-3 NSIC) starting at 4 p.m. USF defeated SMSU 87-83 in overtime during the conference opener back on Nov. 30 in Sioux Falls. The two games are the final on the schedule in the month of December. Following the Christmas break, the Mustangs will return to action on Jan. 3-4, 2014, hosting Northern State and MSU Moorhead respectively.
MUSTANG QUICK HITTERS -
•Junior guard
Travis Meinders will make his first appearance of the season this week. Meinders transferred from Minnesota State last December and had to sit out one full year per NSIC transfer rules.
•SMSU's next victory in NSIC play will be the program's 300th all-time in conference play.
•SMSU has held a lead at halftime in seven of 10 games.
•SMSU has held a rebound advantage in eight of 10 games.
•SMSU has shot 50 percent or better from the field in seven of 10 games.
•SMSU connected on a season-high eight 3-point field goals made versus both UIU and WSU.
•
Joey Bartlett scored a career-high 17 points in the win at Upper Iowa.
•
Vinard Birch tied a career-high with eight assists at Upper Iowa.
•
Nick Smith scored a season-high 22 points versus Wayne State. It was his sixth career 20-point game.
•
Cole Martin has missed the past five games due to an injury.
•SMSU ranks 59th in Division II in rebound margin (+5.5).
•SMSU has committed 136 turnovers which ranks 225th in Division II and ranks 256th in turnover margin (-2.6) out of 291 teams.
•SMSU has shot 60 percent or higher in the second half four times this season.
•SMSU has shot 70 percent or higher in the second half three times this season.
•Four opponents have shot 50 percent or higher this season through 10 games. Only four teams shot 50 percent or better from the field versus SMSU last season.
•Senior
Nick Smith ranks 55th in Division II with 16 blocked shots and is ranked sixth among all active Division II players with 137 career blocked shots.
