> Box Score

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Southwest Minnesota State shot a blistering 60 percent from the field, including 13 of 21 from 3-point range and went on to earn a 93-78 victory over Arkansas Tech on Saturday afternoon in men's basketball at the Great American Conference/Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Challenge at the Bruin Fieldhouse.

SMSU, off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2009-10, led for all but one minute in the game, while shooting 56 percent in the opening half, before shooting 64 percent in the second half.

ATU, which defeated Wayne State last night and has made six straight NCAA tournaments, dropped to 1-1 overall.

Travis Meinders came off the bench for the Mustangs to score a team-high 19 points on 6 of 8 shooting, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range. Joey Bartlett, who scored a career-high 26 points in last night's victory over East Central, recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Mitch Weg (17), Cole Martin (15) and Drew Osmundson (11) also all scored in double figures for the Mustangs.

SMSU held a 43-36 halftime lead, before ATU cut the deficit to 46-42 early in the second half. The Mustangs then reeled off a 19-5 run over a four-minute span to put the game away in building a 65-47 lead with 13 minutes and 57 second left in the game and never looked back in earning the big win.

The Mustangs held a 37-27 rebound advantage and made 18 of 21 free throws.

Southwest Minnesota State continues play on Wednesday night with a non-conference game at Northern State starting at 7 p.m.