WINONA – The Southwest Minnesota State men’s basketball team fell 85-67 to Winona State on Friday night at McCown Gymnasium.

SMSU (10-9, 5-8 NSIC) shot 41 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc, while WSU (8-11, 5-8 NSIC) shot 56 percent from the field and 46 percent from the 3-point line.

Ryan Bruggeman led the Mustangs in scoring with 29 points going 11 of 23 from the field. Braedan Hanson grabbed a team-high five rebounds.

SMSU opened with a strong start as Bruggeman went for SMSU’s first 14 points for a 14-11 lead in the first five minutes.WSU responded with five unanswered points to gain a 16-14 lead before Michael Lee tied the game at 16-16 with 13:02 remaining.

SMSU would hold a 23-18 lead with eight minutes left in the opening half, but WSU closed the half with a 20-6 push to build a 38-29 halftime lead. Bruggeman scored 22 points in the first half to pace the Mustangs.

WSU pushed the lead to 21 points at 65-44 with 10:30 left in the game, but SMSU rallied and trimmed the deficit to 69-56 with seven minutes remaining at 69-56 following a Kenny Byers 3-pointer. WSU ended the rally attempt with four straight points and the lead never dropped below 13 for the remainder of the game.

WSU had five players in double-digs with Kevion Taylor leading the way with 23 points and nine rebounds, followed by Caleb Wagner with 18 and Devin Whitelow with 15.

Southwest Minnesota State continues action tomorrow at Upper Iowa for a 5:30 p.m. tip off.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications