BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. - Nick Smith's 22 points and a solid defensive effort fueled Southwest Minnesota State to an 80-61 victory over Wayne State College in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Saturday night.

The win gave SMSU (4-4, 2-1 NSIC) back-to-back wins for the first time this season and gets the Mustangs back to a .500 overall record.

Smith's 22 points in the win was the first 20+ point performance by a Mustang this season - sixth of Smith's career. He finished 8 of 12 from the floor, 6 of 7 from the charity stripe, grabbed six boards, blocked three shots and recorded two steals.

SMSU committed a season-low seven turnovers while allowing a season-low 61 points.

SMSU pumped out of the gates with a 6-0 run to force an early Wildcat timeout, but a couple of turnovers allowed WSC to storm back to take a 10-7 lead. With the scoreboard reading 23-22 in favor of the Wildcats with 6:32 remaining in the first, SMSU used an 18-8 run to close out the half and take a nine-point halftime lead. Jamie Pearson banked in a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to put WSC within single digits at the break.

In the second half it was another big run – this time a 10-3 run – that pulled SMSU further ahead to give the Mustangs their biggest lead of the game - 26 with 6:29 remaining in regulation.

SMSU finished shooting 21 of 43 from the floor, including 5 of 11 from behind the 3-point line. SMSU made 33 of 39 free throws attempted – both season highs. Matt Zager finished with 11 points, while Vinard Birch, Mitch Weg and Shaun Condon all finished with nine points each.

SMSU out rebounded WSC 30-18, including 11-6 on the offensive end.

SMSU will hit the road to play Winona State and Upper Iowa this weekend.