MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State men's basketball team held off a late charge by the SMSU Alumni team to earn a 71-69 victory in the PE Gym on Saturday.
The game was part of "Andy Wiersma Day" at SMSU. Proceeds from the game will go towards the Andy Wiersma "AW" Memorial Scholarship, as well as the Seth Pack Golf Classic. The annual golf classic raises money for families and schools with children with Down Syndrome. The money is donated to the ARC of Southeast Minnesota.
The SMSU Alumni team consisted of some of the best players in school history. Players expected to play include Vinard Birch, Jacob Fahl, DeAnthony Zanders, Matt Zager, Andrew Peschong, Jon DeRock, Jordan Buddenhagen, Undre Ellis, Jon Peterreins, Trent Carlson, Jordan Miller,
Nick Smith and Jeremy VanKlompenburg.
SMSU led 36-30 at halftime and built the lead to 49-40 with 12 minutes left in the second half. SMSU maintained a 64-57 lead with less than a minute in the game, but the Alumni wouldn't go away and cut the lead to 69-68 with four seconds left after a 3-pointer by Trent Carlson. SMSU's
Mitch Weg made two free throws to help sal the game.
Weg finished with 19 points for SMSU, including 17 points from the free throw line.
Ryan Bruggeman and
Joey Bartlett each added 11 points, while
Carter Kirk had nine points.
Jon DeRock had 12 points for the Alumni.
SMSU will continue exhibition play on Friday, Nov. 6, taking on the University of Minnesota starting at 7 p.m.
