Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.– Southwest Minnesota State and Fort Hays State traded punches in the first half but Taylor Schafer's 13 points in the second half along with five SMSU second-half 3-pointers helped the Mustangs run away with an 84-60 win in its season opener.

Schafer hit three from behind the arc in the second and finished 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 on three point attempts to finish with a game high 21 points. Schafer wasn't alone on offense as Mitch Weg (17), Joey Bartlett (13), KJ Davis (11), and Turner Moen (11) made it five total Mustangs to reach double digits in scoring on the night.
 
SMSU finished the night 49 percent from the field and hit 17-of-21 free throws while taking advantage of 18 total points off turnovers. Fort Hays went just 1-of-10 from behind the three point arc and suffered from 19 total turnovers.
 
Fort Hays saw its largest lead of the game when it went ahead 26-22 on a three pointer from Trey O'Neil but the first half was tightly contested throughout. SMSU was able to edge out a 39-34 lead at halftime as a three pointer from Joey Bartlett and a layup from Ryan Bruggeman sent the Mustangs into the break ahead.
 
After shooting 54 percent from the field in the first half, Fort Hays went just 9-of-24 (38 percent) collectively in the second.
 
The Mustangs saw their shooting trend in the opposite direction as they went 5-of-10 from three in the second after hitting just two three pointers in the first. SMSU forced eight second-half turnovers and also held a 22-12 advantage in the second half in points in the paint to salt away the 24-point victory.

Southwest Minnesota State (1-0, 0-0) will remain in Sioux Falls as they play Emporia State (Kan.) tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m., in the Steward Center.