Independent file photo SMSU’s Jake Phipps puts up a shot during their game against Upper Iowa on Dec. 11, 2021. SMSU will face Northern State on Friday.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University men’s basketball team (9-5, 5-4 NSIC) returns to the road this Friday night taking on Northern State University (10-8, 4-6 NSIC) with game time set for 5:30 p.m. at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

•SMSU was originally scheduled to play at MSU Moorhead on Saturday night but the game was canceled due to COVID 19 protocols. Per NSIC guidelines, the game is ruled as a “no contest” and will not be rescheduled. It’s the second game SMSU has had canceled this season due to COVID protocols following last Friday’s cancellation versus Minot State.

•Friday’s game is the second of six straight scheduled versus Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division opponents.

•SMSU, which defeated NSIC North Division foe UMary at home last Saturday, is a combined 41-24 versus North teams in conference play since divisions were introduced during the 2012-13 season. SMSU did not play any conference games versus NSIC North teams last season.

Broadcast info

•Friday’s game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik providing play-by-play.

•Live stats, radio and video broadcasts of all games can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

Mustang tip-off tidbits

•In the latest NCAA statistics (Jan. 10), SMSU ranks 22nd in free throw pct. (77.1), 61st in rebound margin (+4.7) and 70th in scoring defense (68.5). Cliff McCray ranks 25th in total steals (30); Jake Phipps ranks 38th in total blocks (20) and 66th in field goal pct. (55.9); Kenny Byers ranks 72nd in free throws made (50). A complete listing of the latest NCAA stats can be found on page 15.

•Senior Kenny Byers ranks first on the squad in scoring (14.8) and is second in assists (43).

•Sophomore Jake Phipps is second in scoring (13.9), ranks first in rebounding (7.0), ranks second in field goal pct. (55.9) and is third in 3-pointers (15).

•Redshirt freshman Dunwa Omot has connected on a team-high 22 3-pointers.

•Sophomore Cliff McCray has recorded a team-high 53 assists and has a team-leading 30 steals.

•SMSU has held 10 of its 14 opponents to 69 or less points in regulation, including a season-low 49 in a victory over Winona State on Dec. 10.

•SMSU has outrebounded its opponent in 10 of 14 games.

•SMSU is shooting 47 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, 77 percent from the free throw line and is plus-4.8 in rebound margin.

•SMSU is averaging 72 points per game, while opponents are averaging 69 points per game.

Series history

vs. Northern State

•SMSU and Northern State meet for the 99th time with NSU leading 67-31 in series that started in 1972-73.

•NSU has won the last five games in the series and seven of the last eight. SMSU’s lone victory during the current stretch came in Aberdeen on Jan. 27, 2018.

•NSU has won 11 the last 14 meetings overall since the 2014-15 season.

•NSU leads 37-10 in games played in Aberdeen, which includes a victory in the last game on Feb. 26, 2020.

•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 8-12 all-time versus NSU.

Scouting

Northern State

•Northern State has a record of 10-8 overall, 4-6 NSIC.

•NSU, which hosted the NCAA Central Region Tournament a season ago, lost twice last weekend at Wayne State (69-53) and Augustana (67-50).

•Senior Jordan Belka is averaging a team-high 14.9 points per game with a team-high 102 field goals, including 29 3-pointers. He also leads the club in rebounding at 6.8 per game.

•Freshman Jacksen Moni is averaging 13.9 ppg with 41 3-pointers, while junior Sam Masten is averaging 13.1 ppg.

•Junior Augustin Reede has made team-high 49 3-pointers and is averaging 10.3 ppg.

•NSU is shooting 45 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line and is plus-1.1 in rebound margin.

•NSU is averaging 73 points per game, while opponents are averaging 69 points per game.

•Head coach Saul Phillips is in his third season at NSU with a record of 55-14. He has 270 career victories after serving as head coach at North Dakota State (2007-14) and Ohio University (2014-19).

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications