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SMSU MEN’S BASKETBALL: Mustangs face Sioux Falls in quarterfinals of NSIC/Sanford Tournament

MARSHALL – The No. 24 (D2SIDA) ranked Southwest Minnesota State University men’s basketball team (23-5, 17-5 NSIC) faces the University of Sioux Falls (15-16, 10-12 NSIC) in the quarterfinals of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament on Sunday, with tip-off slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. SMSU opened the tournament with a 79-54 victory over Minnesota Duluth on Wednesday nigh, while USF earned an 80-77 road victory over Minot State. The winner of Sunday’s game will play in the semifinals on Monday starting 8 p.m. versus either Augustana or Northern State.

BROADCAST INFO

•Sunday’s game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL.

•The game can also be viewed online at SMSUmustangs.com.

NSIC SOUTH CHAMPIONS

•SMSU captured the program’s first NSIC South Division title since divisions were formed prior to the 2012-13 season.

•SMSU tied with Northern State for second place overall in the 16-team conference.

•SMSU won overall NSIC championships in 2001 and 2009.

GAME DAY

STORYLINES

•SMSU has held opponents to 30 or less points in the first half in five of its last seven games.

•SMSU’s 25-point victory on Wednesday ties for its largest margin of victory this season.

•SMSU has recorded a pair of six-game winning streaks this season with both winning streaks ending with losses to Upper Iowa.

SERIES HISTORY VS. SIOUX FALLS

•Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls meet for the 29th time on Sunday with SMSU leading 18-10.

•This will be the first-ever meeting in the NSIC Tournament.

•SMSU leads the series 6-4 since USF joined the NSIC prior to the 2012-13 season.

EARLIER THIS

SEASON VS. SIOUX FALLS

•SMSU has won twice this season, winning 74-72 on Nov. 29 in Marshall and then earning an 87-86 win in Sioux Falls on Dec. 17.

ROAD WARRIORS

•SMSU is 12-2 in “true” road games this season, recording the most road wins in team history.

•SMSU is 14-2 in all games played away from the R/A Facility, the highest total since the 2008-09 team won 15 away/neutral site games. The 2000-01 team won 16 away/neutral site games.

SMSU HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER

•Brad Bigler is in his eighth season as head coach and has compiled an overall record of 131-100, ranking second in team history for wins.

ABOUT SIOUX FALLS

•USF is 15-16 overall after beating Minot State on Wednesday night.

•Drew Guebert hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining.

•Guebert is scoring 15.4 ppg with 74 3-pointers and averaging 5.2 rpg to pace the Cougars.

•Mack Johnson is averaging 14.7 ppg with 48 3-pointers.

•USF is scoring 74 points per game, while opponents are averaging 71 per game.

•Head coach Chris Johnson, the school’s all-time leader in victories, is in his ninth season with a record of 156-121.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications

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