MARSHALL, Minn. – Matt Zager set a school single-game record connecting on 10 of 10 shooting from the field, while scoring a career-high 25 points to lead Southwest Minnesota State (15-11, 12-7 NSIC) to an 87-69 victory over Wayne State (15-10, 9-10 NSIC) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball on  Friday night.

Zager's performance topped the previous school record of 9 of 9 shooting set by Scott Koenen on Jan. 20, 2001, and Courtney Brown on Dec. 3, 1992.

Zager finished the night connecting on one 3-pointer and was a perfect 4 of 4 from the free throw line, while also recording six rebounds.

Jordan Miller dished out a career-high 10 assists and moved into a tie for second in school history with 304 career assists.  Nick Smith recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while recording three blocked shots.  Smith's three blocked shots gives him 120 in his career, becoming the school's all-time leader, moving past Jeremy VanKlompenburg, who recorded 117.

Lavione West also had a big night for SMSU making 7 of 8 shots from the field for 18 points.

SMSU, which has won a season-high four straight games, finished the game shooting a season-high 65.2 percent (30 of 46) from the field, despite making just 1 of 7 from 3-point range.  The Mustangs made 26 of 32 free throws and held a 31-25 rebound advantage.  SMSU held a 50-20 scoring advantage in points in the paint.

WSC was led by Adol Aluong's 15 points, connecting on five 3-pointers.  The Wildcats shot 43.3 percent (26 of 60) from the field and made 11 of 21 3-pointers.

SMSU used a big run midway through the opening half to build a double-digit lead.  Holding a slim 18-17 lead with 11 minutes remaining, SMSU used a 17-3 run over the next six minutes to extend the lead to 35-20 with 4:47 remaining following a pair of Zager free throws.

WSC cut the deficit to 37-28, but SMSU closed out the half with an 8-4 run to build a 45-32 halftime advantage.

SMSU finished the opening half shooting a red-hot 67 percent (16 of 24) percent from the field and held WSC to just 39 percent (12 of 31) shooting.

Zager led the Mustangs in the opening half with 11 points on 4 of 4 shooting, while Smith and West each scored 10 in the opening 20 minutes.

Wayne State started the second on a blistering pace, making eight of its first nine shots from the field, to trim SMSU's lead to 55-52 with 15:24 left in the game.  SMSU answered with a 6-0 run to push the lead to 61-52 with 14 minutes remaining.

SMSU maintained a 63-57 lead with 12:24 remaining, before reeling off seven straight points to build a 70-57 advantage at the 9:46 mark and never looked back in earning its 14th straight victory over WSC in Marshall.

Southwest Minnesota State closes out its four-game homestand tomorrow night taking on Augustana College (17-6, 13-6 NSIC) in a crucial NSIC South Division match-up.  Tomorrow night's game, which is also “Senior Night” is slated for 7 p.m.  SMSU will honor its six senior players prior to tip-off.