Photo by Jake McNeill Southwest Minnesota State’s Dunwa Omot (left) prepares to go up with a shot against a Minnesota Crookston defender during a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference mens basketball game on Saturday at SMSU’s R/A Facility in Marshall.

MARSHALL — In a tightly-congested race at the top of the field in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Southwest Minnesota State University mens basketball team picked up a key 77-62 win over Minnesota Crookston to remain locked in a five-way tie for first place.

“It’s what makes it fun, the suspense,” SMSU head coach Brad Bigler said of the late-season push for first place. “I’m not really thinking about it a whole lot. Our big picture is to try and make a run in the NSIC tournament… this year has gone by faster than any year I’ve ever coached and I’m just trying to enjoy these last moments with these guys.”

Bigler attributed that speedy feeling of the season to the lack of tension or turmoil, both due to the team’s early success and the players’ ability to mature and grow into their roles over the course of the season.

The Mustangs recognized their lone senior, Dunwa Omot, ahead of the game. Omot led SMSU in 3-pointers in each of his first 3 seasons with the team, and his 37 this season despite missing five games are second only to Mason Lund’s 26.

“I thought about [it potentially being my last game in the R/A Facility] earlier this week. The game was a bigger part of it, but it’s an accomplishment,” Omot said. “I loved every second here in the R/A, it’s one of the best gyms to ever play in, and the community members always showed out. I have the best coaching staff and teammates in the world, and they made the experience 10 times better.”

After leading 4-2, the Mustangs’ offense faltered early in the first half as UMC jumped out on a 13-2 run to take the lead. SMSU got UMC big man Jordan Mitchell in early foul trouble, forcing him to sit for the first half’s final seven minutes.

From there, the Mustangs battled back and eventually regained a 25-24 lead on a pair of Omot free throws with five minutes until halftime. They led the remainder of the game.

The Mustangs went into the locker room with a 41-31 lead and led by as many as 18 points in the win.

Aeron Stevens in particular dominated the paint with 26 points and seven rebounds. Jakob Braaten and Omot also added 18 and 13 points, with Braaten also leading the team with three steals and three assists.

SMSU (19-7, 14-6 NSIC) will wrap up its regular season with a two-game road trip out west, starting with a game at UMary on Friday at 5:30 p.m.