Box Score

CROOKSTON, Minn.- Southwest Minnesota State (14-2, 9-2 NSIC) got right back to its winning ways with four players scoring in double figures while surviving 13 made three point attemtps from Minnesota Crookston as the Mustangs defeated the Golden Eagles 77-74 on Friday night in the Lysaker Gymnasium.

Mitch Weg (17), Ryan Bruggeman (16), Carter Kirk (15), and Joey Bartlett (10) were the four Mustangs to hit double digit point totals as SMSU dominated the inside and held a 40-16 advantage in points in the paint.

The Mustangs also held a 42-29 rebounding advantage and committed just 11 turnovers making them 12-0 on the season when finishing with 15 or fewer turnovers. Carter Kirk grabbed his fifth double-double of the year, adding 12 rebounds as well as two steals on the defensive end. 

Southwest Minnesota State, who now move into sole possession of first place in the NSIC South Division with the win, hit just 2-of-11 three pointers in the first half and attempted just three in the second half, finishing with a 46 percent (28-of-61) night from the field as a team.

After tying a season low in free throw percentage against Upper Iowa, the Mustangs rebounded nicely on Friday night hitting 17-of-22 (77 percent) from the charity strip including several clutch free throws late to seal a 20th straight vicotry over Minnesota Crookston for SMSU.

The Mustangs came out of the gates on a 7-0 run and lead by as many as nine with 6:23 to play in the first half. Weg and Kirk combined for 18 points while going 7-of-10 from the field in the first half to help atone for the Mustangs 18 percent three point shooting to begin the game. SMSU gave up a Golden Eagles run but finished the half strong to take a 37-34 lead into halftime.

The two teams traded runs to begin the second half but the Mustangs kept finding points inside to craft out a 66-61 lead with just over four minutes to play. Riley Rice then hit three consecutive three pointers to bring the Golden Eagles within one at 71-70 with 1:55 to play in the game. Ryan Bruggeman then knocked down a jumper with 55 seconds left and the teams traded pairs of free throws in the final minute as SMSU survived the late Golden Eagles' rally. The Mustangs are now 8-2 on the season in games decided by four points or less.

SMSU will play at Bemidji State on Saturday at 6 p.m., before returning home to begin four-game home stand next weekend.