Photo by Dwayne Black: Southwest Minnesota State University senior guard Jakob Braaten (left) goes up for a shot against St. Cloud State in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game on Saturday in Marshall at the R/A Facility. The Mustangs defeated the Huskies 64-54.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University mens basketball team allowed its fewest amount of points to an opponent so far this season on the way to winning its sixth-straight game Saturday afternoon against St. Cloud State. The Mustangs defeated the Huskies 64-54 behind a strong defensive effort and bench production.

With the win, SMSU is now tied with Augustana for first place in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division, both tied with an 8-4 overall record and 6-1 in conference as of Tuesday.

The Huskies got off to a 9-2 start to begin the game behind a 7-0 run, but the Mustangs quickly brought the score back within a possession after a pair of layups from Mekhi Shaw and Landon Pokorski, and a Brayson Boike 3-pointer for an 11-9 deficit.

The two kept within reach of one another the rest of the first half, neither able to break away to a large lead. SCSU built a 23-16 lead with about seven minutes remaining, yet a 3 from Jakob Braaten and Micah Schlaak brought the Mustangs right back in.

The Mustangs went into the locker room with a 29-26 edge after taking the lead with a bucket from Braaten and a pair of Mason Lund free throws after the final two minutes of the half were scoreless.

SMSU’s defense was the difference maker at the end of the night with five blocks and 10 steals, which led to 14 extra points off turnovers, while the Huskies had a pair of blocks and five steals. SCSU outrebounded SMSU 37-29, primarily on the offensive boards.

The Mustangs continue to see efficient contributions from their bench, totaling 17 bench points on Saturday to SCSU’s 4.

SMSU hung on to its slight lead the rest of the way coming out in the second half, sparked with a 3 from Braaten to open.

Layups from Stevens and Shaw built a 10-point lead, 42-32, as the Mustangs held on the rest of the way.

Braaten led SMSU with 16 points and three assists, while Aeron Stevens and Shaw followed with another 14 points each. Schlaak had a team-high three steals and shot 2 for 3 from deep, while Lund led with 10 rebounds to his 7 points. Stevens and Schlaak both had two blocks, along with Shaw grabbing a trio of steals as well.

Notably, SMSU also shot 50% from the perimeter going 7 of 14 and 50% from the field, and held SCSU to 12% from deep and 31% in the field.

The Mustangs have some time off for the holiday break and will return back to the court to host the University of Sioux Falls (4-8, 2-5) on Jan. 3 with a 2 p.m. tip off in a NSIC South matchup.