FAYETTE, Iowa- Southwest Minnesota State trailed by as many as 17 in the first half, but Ryan Bruggeman hit a go-ahead jumper with 1.6 seconds left to play in the game, capping off a 10-2 run to end the second half as SMSU defeated Upper Iowa, 86-84 in a thrilling conclusion to the weekend on Saturday night in the Dorman Gymnasium.

Bruggeman also had seven assists five rebounds and tied for the team lead with 17 points in addition to a huge steal that allowed Michael Lee to get a look at his game-tying three pointer. KJ Davis also had 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting overall and 3 of 4 on three point attempts.

Turner Moen also finished in double figures with 15 points after hitting 3 of 5 three pointers. Taylor Schafer started slow but finished with 11 points, going 3 of 6 from deep.

The Mustangs had a 50 percent (15 of 30) shooting first half, but went 3 of 11 from behind the arc and allowed multiple runs from Upper Iowa. The Peacocks jumped ahead 26-9 after ten minutes of play and forced 11 turnovers from the Mustangs’ in the opening half.

SMSU trailed by nine at halftime and still trailed by six with just under three minutes to play in the game down, 82-76. Turner Moen later knocked down a three pointer with 1:35 to play that cut the Peacocks’ lead to 82-81.

Following a Peacocks’ layup and Mustangs’ missed field goal, Ryan Bruggeman came up with the huge steal that led to an open trey that Michael Lee knocked down to even the game at 84-84.

The Mustangs then made a defensive stop and called a timeout with 18 seconds on the clock and a chance at the final shot.

SMSU head coach Brad Bigler had the Mustangs inbound to Bruggeman who pulled up and knocked down the go-ahead bucket with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation.

SMSU (11-5, 7-3 NSIC) earns a second consecutive weekend split after falling to Winona State on Friday night to begin the weekend.

The Mustangs will now host Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State next Friday and Saturday nights respectively.

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