Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s KJ Davis tries to drive past a Minnesota State University, Mankato defender during their game on Friday.

MARSHALL – When a season nears its end, it’s natural to reflect on the careers of seniors who are playing their final games. That’s what Southwest Minnesota State University is doing this weekend for seniors Carter Kirk, Turner Moen and KJ Davis.

The three seniors have put together some very good careers.

Davis has only spent two seasons with the Mustangs, but he’s had a big impact. He’s played in all 60 games (started 57) and has totaled the fourth most points on the team in that time. His 83 steals are third on the team, and Davis is often tasked with defending the opponent’s best perimeter player.

Moen plays an integral role for the Mustangs. A part-time starter in his first two seasons, Moen has started every game as a junior and senior.

He saved his best for last, currently having a career year. His 7.4 points per game entering the weekend is the second highest of his career, just one-tenth of a point behind his freshman campaign. He’s shooting 55.0 percent from the field, including 50 percent from 3-point range.

Moen also has a career-best 5.4 rebounds per game and 84 assists, and his 41 steals entering the weekend are just two behind his career high.

In the SMSU career ranks, Moen sits fifth in 3-point percentage (42.0 percent), 21st in total rebounds (493), 11th in total assists (249), and sixth in total steals (129).

Moen and Kirk have each played 116 games, tied for 12th most in program history. With two games played this weekend, they will be in a tie for ninth place in the category.

The number of games played is just the beginning of the accolades Kirk has racked up in his SMSU career. The senior center enters the weekend with 1,210 career points (12th all-time) and his 58.8 percent shooting from the field is the best in program history.

Kirk enters the weekend with 813 total rebounds in his career, second all-time and only trailing Frank Belmont (848).

These three seniors still have a lot to play for entering the final two games of the regular season.

SMSU is still in contention for the NSIC South regular season title. The Mustangs would have to win both games this weekend, and Minnesota State, Mankato would also need to lose today against Sioux Falls in order to clinch the division title.

SMSU also found out this week that it is sixth in the initial regional rankings. There isn’t a wide gap between SMSU and MSU, though. The Mavericks are ranked eighth in the Central Region.

Friday night’s win over MSU Mankato marked the second straight 20-win season and sixth in program history for the Mustangs. The last time SMSU won 20 or more games in back-to-back seasons was 2000-01 and 2001-02.

There is a lot still on the line for the Mustangs this season, but remember the impacts the three seniors have made on this program.

Women to

honor two

The SMSU women’s basketball team will also recognize a pair of seniors today in Lauren Hedlund and Taylor Holicky.

Holicky has appeared in 90 games in her SMSU career, including 34 starts. She has totaled 444 points and 467 rebounds. Holicky’s 79 blocked shots put her ninth in program history in the category.

Her best season came as a junior, when she started every game and averaged 9.1 ppg and 7.7 rpg with 29 blocks.

Hedlund enters the weekend 13th all-time with 1,100 career points, along with the fifth most rebounds in program history (692).

She’s appeared in 106 games and started 59 of them.

This year, Hedlund is averaging 5.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg off the bench.