SMSU MEN’S BASKETBALL: SMSU carries three-game winning streak into NSIC opener today at Sioux Falls
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MARSHALL -- The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (3-1) travels to Sioux Falls, S.D., to open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play today with a match-up versus the University of Sioux Falls. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m. inside USF's Stewart Center.
•Today's game will be SMSU's 800th conference game in program history. SMSU begins its 53rd season as a member of the NSIC and has an all-time record of 378-421 in 799 conference games, finishing in the top half of the final standings 25 times in 52 seasons.
•Both teams enter the game with three-game winning streaks. USF started its streak with a victory over No. 1 Northwest Missouri State on Nov. 13.
Broadcast info
•Today's game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik providing play-by-play.
•Today's game will be broadcast live regionally on Midco Sports Network.
•Live stats, radio and video broadcasts of all games can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.
Series history
vs. Sioux Falls
•SMSU and Sioux Falls meet for the 38th time today with SMSU leading 22-15 in a series that started in 1968-69.
•USF leads the series 12-5 in games played in Sioux Falls, including the last game played inside the Stewart Center, 74-56 on Nov. 30, 2019.
•SMSU has won seven of the last 12 games since Dec. 19, 2015, but USF has won three of the last four and five of the last eight.
•The teams split two games last season in Marshall to close the season with USF winning 61-52 on Feb. 20, but SMSU rallied to win 76-69 in overtime on Feb. 21.
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 10-9 all-time versus Sioux Falls.
Mustangs
tip-off tidbits
•Sophomore Jake Phipps recorded his first two career double-doubles in last weekend's two victories.
•Phipps leads the team in scoring (15.8), rebounding (8.8), and field goal pct. (60.5).
•Redshirt freshman Dunwa Omot, who scored a career-high 16 points last Saturday, has connected on a team-high eight 3-pointers.
•Sophomore Cliff McCray has a team-high 16 assists and has a team-high 11 steals.
•SMSU has held all four opponents to 63 or less points, including 58 in a victory over Newman (Kan.).
•SMSU has outrebounded its opponent in all four games.
•SMSU is shooting 46 percent from the field, 29 percent from 3-point range, 81 percent from the free throw line and is plus-9.8 in rebound margin.
•SMSU is averaging 70 points per game, while opponents are averaging 61 points per game.
Scouting
Sioux Falls
•Sioux Falls is 3-1 on the season and has won three straight games, including earning an 83-77 victory over No. 1 Northwest Missouri State on Nov. 13.
•The Cougars defeated Dakota State and Chadron State last week.
•Matt Cartwright, a transfer from Augustana, is averaging 24 points with 12 3-pointers this season.
•Sophomore Jack Thompson (14.3) and junior Chase Grinde (11.3) both are scoring in double figures.
•Redshirt freshman Wesley Oba is grabbing a team-high 7.5 rpg.
•USF is shooting 45 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range, 73 percent from the free throw line and is plus-4.5 in rebound margin.
•USF is averaging 76 points per game, while opponents are averaging 73 points per game.
•Head coach Chris Johnson is in his 14th season at USF with a record of 227-157. He was also head coach at Culver-Stockton for one season (2004-05).
-- Content courtesy
of SMSU Athletic
Communications