Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. -- Mitch Weg scored a team-high 20 points, connecting on 9 of 10 shots, while Taylor Schafer added 19 points off the bench, to lead Southwest Minnesota State to an 83-82 victory over Northern State in non-conference action at Wachs Arena on Tuesday night.
 
The victory pushes SMSU's record to 3-0 on the season—its best start to a season since beginning 4-0 in 2009-10. NSU drops to 1-2 with the loss.
 
The two teams will meet in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game in Marshall for "Hawaiian Night" on Jan. 28.
 
Schafer hit a pair of free throws with one minute and 14 seconds left in the game to give SMSU a 79-78 lead. Following a pair of missed field goals by NSU on its next possession, Weg pushed the Mustang lead to 81-78 with 32 seconds remaining.
 
Following an NSU field cutting the lead to 81-80, SMSU's KJ Davis hit two big free throws with 17 seconds on the clock to push the margin to 83-80. NSU answered with a basket to make it 83-82 and then stole the ball on the in-bounds pass, but moments later Weg stripped the ball back and Davis was able to secure the loss ball and give SMSU the victory.
 
Both teams shot outstanding in the game with SMSU shooting 59 percent (33 of 56), including 64 percent in the second half. NSU connected on 62 percent (28 of 45) from the field in the game, including 64 percent in the final 20 minutes.
 
SMSU earned the victory despite being outrebounded 32-17 and with NSU making 23 of 30 free throws. SMSU closed the game 14 of 18 from the free throw line.
 
Schafer closed the game connecting on 3 of 5 from 3-point range, with Davis finishing with 13 points on 4 of 8 shooting and Rayn Bruggeman adding 10 points and three assists.
 
SMSU used a quick 9-0 run in the game's opening three minutes to build a 9-4 lead. SMSU would maintain the lead for much of the opening half, including at 31-26 with just under five minutes remaining following a 3-pointer by Schafer and a field goal by Carter Kirk.
 
Michael Lee gave SMSU a 35-31 advantage with 2:21 left in the half, but the Wolves countered with an 8-0 run to build a 39-35 lead—matching their largest lead of the half. Bruggeman ended the run with a pair of free throws to cut the SMSU deficit to 39-37 at halftime.
 
NSU shot 60 percent in the opening half and held an 18-8 rebound advantage. SMSU did force 12 NSU turnovers in the first half, scoring 15 points off the miscues.
 
NSU was led by DJ Pollard's 20 points.
 
Southwest Minnesota State continues non-conference play this Friday and Saturday in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. SMSU will take on Michigan Tech on Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. CST, before facing Northern Michigan on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. CST.