THIS WEEK - The Southwest Minnesota State University (6-5, 3-2 NSIC) men's basketball team returns to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tomorrow hosting 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. SMSU stepped out of conference play last night with an 83-57 home victory over Division III UW-La Crosse. 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 made his first appearance of the season on Thursday night and scored nine points on 4 of 5 shooting. Meinders transferred from Minnesota State last December and had to sit out one full year per NSIC transfer rules.
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Nick Smith scored 21 points versus UW-La Crosse for his seventh career 20-point game.
•SMSU shot a season-high 62.3 percent and dished out a season-high 19 assists versus UW-La Crosse.
•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 eight of 11 games.
•SMSU has held a rebound advantage in nine of 11 games.
•SMSU has shot 50 percent or better from the field in eight of 11 games.
•SMSU connected on a season-high eight 3-point field goals made versus both UIU and WSU.
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Joey Bartlett scored a career-high 17 points in the win at Upper Iowa.
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Vinard Birch tied a career-high with eight assists at Upper Iowa.
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Cole Martin has missed the past six 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 a half five 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 11 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 17 blocked shots and is ranked sixth among all active Division II players with 138 career blocked shots.
