THIS WEEK - Southwest Minnesota State University (12-11, 9-7 NSIC) returns to the friendly confines of the R/A Facility to open a four-game homestand this weekend with a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games versus NSIC North Division foes.  SMSU faces the University of Mary (3-17, 3-13 NSIC) on Friday, Feb. 8, with tip-off slated for 8 p.m., before taking on Minot State University (8-12, 7-9 NSIC), for the first time ever as members of the NSIC, on Saturday, Feb. 9, with game time set for 7 p.m.  SMSU begins the weekend fifth in the NSIC South Division standings and tied for seventh overall.  UMary currently sits in seventh in the NSIC North and 15th overall, while MSU is fifth in the NSIC North and tied for 10th overall. 

UMary begins the weekend ranked second in the NSIC in 3-point field goal pct., 13th in scoring defense, 15th in scoring offense and 16th in turnover margin.  MSU is 10th in scoring defense, 14th in scoring offense, 15th in field goal pct. and ranks last in free throw pct. 
Following this weekend's games, SMSU will close out its home regular season schedule on Feb. 15-16 taking on Wayne State and Augustana.

LAST TIME OUT - Southwest Minnesota State split two road games last weekend, dropping a 72-57 decision to Bemidji State, before rebounding with a 63-54 win over Minnesota, Crookston.  In the setback to BSU, the Mustangs scored just four points in the final 11 minutes of the first half to trail 34-18 at halftime and could never recover.  SMSU cut the deficit to 40-36 midway through the second half, but a 10-0 run by BSU ended the comeback threat.  Jordan Miller paced the Mustangs with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Nick Smith added 14 points and nine rebounds.  SMSU finished the game with 17 turnovers and shot just 39.7 percent.  In the victory over UMC, the Mustang defense limited the Golden Eagles to just 32.7 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers.  Vinard Birch scored a game-high 14 points to lead SMSU.

MUSTANGS  HAVE SUFFERED SOME TOUGH LOSSES - Southwest Minnesota State has suffered numerous heartbreaking losses this season, including five in conference play.  In five of its seven NSIC losses, SMSU has had the lead with four minutes or less in the second half in every game and in six of its 11 losses overall the Mustangs have held a lead with five minutes or less in the game.

NCAA STATS - Southwest Minnesota State ranks among the top 40 nationally in three categories in the NCAA statistics report through Sunday, Feb. 3, including ninth in free throw pct., 35th in field goal pct. and 38th in turnovers per game.  Individually, Nick Smith ranks 37th in field goal pct. and 39th in blocked shots, while Jordan Miller ranks 56th in free throw pct. and 93rd in 3-pointers per game.  See chart on page 2 for all NSIC and NCAA statistics.

>SMSU Release

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