Marshall, Minn. --- Southwest Minnesota State earned a 82-63 wire-to-wire victory over Minnesota State Saturday evening at the R/A Facility in the outskirts of Marshall, Minn.

“It was one thing after another tonight,” said head coach Matt Margenthaler.  “Obviously things have to change and we need to figure it out and figure it out quick.”

The Mustangs raced to a 36-20 halftime lead and never looked back.  The Mustangs, who shot 48.4 percent from the floor in the first half while limiting MSU to just 22.6, were outrebounded 26-17 in the first half, including 11-4 on the offensive end of the paint.  Twenty-six of the 36 first-half points scored by SMSU were in the paint.

Sophomore #Zach Romashko# led MSU with six points in the first half.

For the Mustangs, it was more of the same in the second half as it opened its biggest lead of the night 29 points, 82-53 with 4:16 remaining.

Minnesota State was led in scoring by freshman guard Kelly Madison who scored 14 points.  Romashko scored 12 while senior guard Stephen Kirschbaum added ten.  Freshman forward #TJ Okafor# hauled a team-best nine rebounds which established a season-high. 

The Mustangs finished the night shooting 53.2 from the floor, including 58.1 in the second half.  SMSU outscored MSU, 60-22 in the paint.  Minnesota State did win the battle of the glass, 40-33 including 16-10on the offensive end.  

The Mavericks (4-9, 3-6 NSIC) return to the Taylor Center next weekend against Northern State.  Game time is set for 8 p.m., and will air on FM 100.5 KXAC.