SMSU MEN’S BASKETBALL: SMSU edges UMary, 77-73
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MARSHALL -- After dropping a tough loss in overtime to Sioux Falls last Sunday, the Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team looked to bounce back on Saturday against the University of Mary. The Mustangs had their backs against the wall early, but overcame a slow start before holding on late to earn a 77-73 victory at the R/A Facility.
"It was definitely a game of runs and we're just very fortunate that even though we had a little hiccup in the end, we were able to finish the game," SMSU coach Brad Bigler said.
It was back and forth to start, as SMSU got out to a 6-2 lead before UMary connected on a pair of 3-pointers to take an 8-6 advantage with 17:05 left in the first half. The Marauders continued to attack, using a 9-0 run to push their lead to 17-6 with 15 minutes left before a 3-pointer by Sam Schwartz got the Mustangs back on the board. SMSU wouldn't go down without a fight, though, as a 3-pointer by Dunwa Omot trimmed the deficit to 23-17 at the midway mark before a jumper by Kenny Byers made it a five-point game at 28-23 with 6:30 left. The two teams then traded points over the next few minutes, as Omot got a layup to draw SMSU to within one at 34-33 with 2:20 left before a dunk by Cliff McCray put the Mustangs in front on their ensuing possession, but UMary connected on a pair of free throws in the final seconds to take a 36-35 lead going into halftime.
The tight play continued to start the second half, with neither side leading by more than a few points. Byers connected on a jumper to tie things up at 47-47 before Schwartz got a 3-pointer to give SMSU a 50-49 lead with 13:20 left, but UMary had an answer, as a 3-pointer put the Marauders in front at 59-57 with 8:40 left. SMSU kept battling, though, as it went on a 7-0 run to take a 64-59 advantage with 6:20 left, but UMary connected on a pair of 3-pointers to draw to within two at 69-67 with 3:18 left. Byers would answer with a jumper to give SMSU a 71-67 lead with 2:20 left and the Mustangs held on the rest of the way to earn the 77-73 victory.
Omot led SMSU with 24 points while Byers added 22 and Schwartz had 11. Byers led in rebounds with nine while McCray led in assists with five. As a team, SMSU shot 50.9% (29 of 57) from the field, including 7 of 22 (31.8%) from 3-point range and 12 of 13 from the free-throw line.
Bigler said their key offensively, especially in the second half, was their ability to create space and allow their players to attack UMary's defense.
"Just creating space and make them defend the dribble with proper space," Bigler said. "That allowed Kenny to get it going and he had a nice little stretch and then Dunwa had a good stretch where he made a couple of shots as well."
Defensively, SMSU limited UMary to 46.8% shooting (29 of 62) and forced 12 turnovers.
Up next
SMSU (9-5 overall, 5-4 NSIC) will hit the road next weekend, taking on Northern State University on Friday at 5:30 p.m. before facing MSU Moorhead next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
SMSU 77, UMary 73
UMary 36 37 - 73
SMSU 35 42 - 77
Scoring: SMSU (Omot 9-17, 4-4 24; Byers 10-16, 2-3 22; Schwartz 4-6, 0-0 11; Phipps 2-5, 4-4 9; Benson 1-3, 2-2 5; McCray 2-4, 0-0 4; Costello 1-5, 0-0 2).
Rebounds: SMSU 29 (Byers 9; Phipps, Kramer 5).
Assists: SMSU 12 (McCray 5; Byers 4).
Steals: SMSU 7 (Byers, McCray, Omot 2; Phipps 1).