MARSHALL, Minn. – No. 13/22 ranked Southwest Minnesota State moved its winning streak to season-high five in a row with a 79-60 victory over Northern State in NSIC men's basketball on Friday night inside the R/A Facility.
 
SMSU, which improves to 14-3 overall, 9-2 NSIC, moves into sole possession of first place with Minot State losing at Wayne State.
 
The Mustangs used outstanding defense in the first half in building a 41-18 halftime lead. SMSU held a 24-9 rebound advantage in the opening half and limited NSU to 29 percent shooting.
 
Mason Lund led the Mustangs with 17 points on 6 of 7 shooting with three 3-pointers. Steven Kramer and Aeron Stevens each added 11 points, while Mekhi Shaw scored nine points with six assists and two steals. Landon Pokorski chipped in eight points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.
 
NSU, which dropped to 1-16 overall, 0-11 NSIC, was led in scoring by Marcus Burks' 19 points. NSU finished the game shooting 38 percent (21 of 56), while making 8 of 25 from 3-point range.
 
SMSU closed the night shooting 53 percent (31 of 58), while making 6 of 14 from 3-point range. The Mustangs held a 38-25 rebound advantage with Stevens recording a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Kramer opened the game with a 3-pointer and the Mustangs never looked back quickly building a 10-1 advantage less than three minutes into the game. Caleb Schlaak would later convert a three-point play with Jakob Braaten adding a layup to push the lead to 17-3 with 12:18 left in the half.
 
NSU cut the deficit to 17-8, but a 3-pointer by Lund, followed by field goals by Shaw and Pokorski extend the margin to 24-8 at the 9:22 mark.
 
SMSU pushed the lead to 29-10 following a Shaw jumper with 7:47 left before taking its largest lead of the half into the break, 41-18, following back-to-back field goals by Lund.

Friday's victory was SMSU's third straight in the series and improves the Mustangs' home record to 10-1 on the season.
 
SMSU concludes the homestand on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. tip versus UMary.