MARSHALL, Minn. --- Southwest Minnesota State proved to be too much for Minnesota State on the road Friday evening as the Mustangs bested the Mavericks 85-71.
With the loss, MSU falls to 13-6, including an 8-5 NSIC record. With the win, the Mustangs improve to 9-9, including a 5-8 league record. SMSU's victory ends MSU's seven-game winning streak against the Mustangs.
The first half saw the Mustangs set the pace for the majority of the opening 20 minutes. SMSU led by as many as 15 points as it finished the first half shooting 58.6% from the field.
With 8:17 to go in the first half, SMSU led 34-19, but the Mavericks were able to chip away at the lead and eventually got back within three points of the Mustangs at 39-36 with 2:23 to go in the half. SMSU was able to maintain its lead however as it carried a 45-38 lead into the locker room.
Senior
Jalen Pendleton led the Maverick offense in the first half with 12 points, while senior
Snoop Viser added 10 points and four rebounds. As a team, MSU shot 48.3% from the field in the first half.
Shaun Condon led the Mustangs in the first half with 14 points.
The second half saw the Mavericks get back within five point of the Mustangs on a couple of occasions. A layup by junior
Jon Fuqua with 15:19 brought MSU within five of the Mustangs at 51-46 with 15:19 to go, but the Mavericks would get no closer as the Mustangs outscored the Mavericks 34-25 the rest of the way to secure the 85-71 win.
Pendleton finished his night with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Viser added 15 points and five rebounds. Fuqua added 13 points and five rebounds as well.
As a team, MSU shot 47.2% from the field, but it only connected on 3-of-15 (.200) of its shots from beyond the arc. The Mavericks also hauled in 29 rebounds and passed out 12 assists.
For SMSU, Condon led all scorers with 27 points, while Carter Kirk added 14 points and seven rebounds.
As a unit, the Mustangs shot 55.9% from the field, including an 8-of-17 (.471) showing from three point land.
The Mavericks wrap up their road trip on Saturday as they take on the Sioux Falls Cougars. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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