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SMSU MEN’S BASKETBALL: On point: Bruggeman scorches for 49 points as SMSU rolls past UMC

Bruggeman breaks pair of SMSU scoring records in victory

Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s Ryan Bruggeman drives around a University of Minnesota Crookston defender during their game on Friday. The Mustangs defeated the Golden Eagles 100-78.

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State senior Ryan Bruggeman poured in a school record 49 points, while setting a school single-game record with 20 field goals made, to pace the Mustangs to a big 100-78 victory over Minnesota Crookston in NSIC men’s basketball on Friday night at the R/A Facility.

Bruggeman broke the scoring record with a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining in the game, breaking the previous mark of 48 set by Terence Williams on Nov. 23, 1990, versus Mayville State. He finished tonight’s game making 20 of 27 field goals, including 8 of 11 from 3-point range. He also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, dished out six assists and had three steals.

Bruggeman also tonight became the program’s all-time leader in field goals made and has now amassed 665, surpassing Mike Tobin’s previous record of 658 set from 1982-86.

The victory was the second straight for SMSU, which improves to 12-9 overall, 7-8 NSIC. The Mustangs finished the night shooting 57 percent (41 of 72) from the field, including 16 of 31 from 3-point range. SMSU also held a 34-26 rebound advantage, which is the first time outrebounding an opponent since a victory at Minnesota Duluth on Dec. 15.

Taylor Schafer also had a solid game for SMSU with 16 points on 7 of 12 shooting, while Nick Dufault added 11 points on 4 of 4 shooting with three 3-pointers.

UMC, which drops to 13-11 overall, 6-9 NSIC, was led by Harrison Cleary’s team-high 26 points on 6 of 15 shooting, but a perfect 12 of 12 from the free throw line. He also handed out a team-high six assists.

The Golden Eagles closed the night shooting 48 percent (27 of 56) from the field, while making 7 of 18 from 3-point range. UMC made 17 of 20 free throws and committed nine turnovers.

SMSU jumped to an early lead in opening five-plus minutes as Bruggeman connected on a jumper to give the Mustangs a 19-4 advantage with 14:42 remaining in the half.

UMC fought back and cut the deficit to single digits at 34-25 with 7:46 remaining following a Cleary 3-pointer. The Golden Eagles would later trim the Mustang lead to six points on two occasions, including 49-43 with 1:07 remaining, but a 3-pointer and layup by Bruggeman closed the half to give SMSU a 54-43 halftime lead.

SMSU held a 60-51 advantage with 16 minutes remaining in the game before Grant Kramer drilled a 3-pointer to give the Mustangs a double-digit lead at 63-51 with 15:53 on the clock. The lead never dipped below 12 points for the remainder of the game as SMSU defeated UMC for the 22nd straight time since Jan. 16, 2004.

Bruggeman would reach the 40-point mark with a four-point play at the 9:08 mark of the second half to push SMSU’s lead to 79-59. He would not score again until connecting on a 3-pointer with 1:55 left to reach 46 points. After securing a defensive rebound moments later, Bruggeman set the record off a pass from senior teammate Michael Lee.

Southwest Minnesota State concludes the weekend today hosting Bemidji State for the annual “Hawaiian Night” game with tip-off slated for 6 p.m.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications

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