MARSHALL, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (8-3, 4-2 NSIC) shot a season-low 32.8 percent from the field in dropping an 86-57 decision to Southwest Minnesota State (9-3, 5-1) in NSIC action on Saturday at the R/A Facility. With the loss, USF dropped to 4-2 in NSIC play and fell out of a second place tie with SMSU.

USF, the top scoring team in the NSIC, scored a season-low 57 points, including a season-worst 23 in the second half. USF, which had scored over 80 points or more nine times, was 21-of-64 from the field for 32.8 percent, including 8-of-32 for 25 percent in the second half. In the second half, the Cougars made just one three-pointer in 11 attempts as they finished 6-of-25 from the floor. In USF's eight wins, they have outshot the opponent but in its three losses, the opponent has held the shooting edge from the field.

Junior guard Trevon Evans led USF with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Evans recorded his 10th double digit game in 11 played this season. Junior forward Drew Guebert added nine points and now has 1,060 points in his career, a total which stands 26th all-time in USF history. However, the junior forward had a streak of 13 straight double digit scoring games end. Guebert made a three and now has 164 for his career for sixth all-time at USF. Also for the Cougars, redshirt freshman Teathloach Pal had eight points, including two three-pointers while freshman Drew Maschoff added eight rebounds and three rebounds. In his second start at USF, Justin Taylor had seven points and a career-high three blocks.

SMSU, which made 32-of-62 field goals for 51.6 percent, was led by senior Turner Moen with 15 points. The Mustangs, which defeated USF for the 15th straight time in Marshall, made 9-of-22 from three-point range and 13-of-18 from the foul line. USF, which was also the league's top rebounding unit, was outrebounded for just the second time in 11 games as the Mustangs owned a 45-34 edge on the boards.

Game Breakdown --

With a 13-5 run to close the first half, SMSU took a 45-34 halftime lead. Bruggeman led SMSU with nine points, including the jumper to give the Mustangs its largest lead of the half (11 points) with a second to play.

After hitting its opening five shots, USF led SMSU, 11-10. Pal, who had six points on a pair of threes in the opening 20 minutes, helped USF to a 21-19 lead (10:52) with a trey. But the homestanding Mustangs used a 13-4 run to grab a 32-25 lead (6:04). The Cougars closed to 32-29 on another Pal three-pointer and a free throw by Austin Slater, who finished the night with three points and eight rebounds. It would be the closest USF would get on the night. The Mustangs had their 13-5 run and with it a double-digit lead at 45-34.

In the first half, USF was just 13-of-32 from the field, including making just eight of its final 27 shots. SMSU was 18-of-33, including 5-of-10 from three point range. The Cougars, which were hurt at the foul line on just 3-of-7 shooting, made 5-of-14 from three point range. SMSU held an 18-10 rebound advantage.

After falling behind 54-40 early in the second, Guebert's three-pointer cut the lead to three (54-43) at the 14:40 mark. But, the Mustangs rebounded with five straight points for a 59-43 lead on a three by Taylor Schafer at the 13:45 mark. Down 18, USF received baskets from Pal and Evans to reduce the deficit to 69-55 at the 6:40 mark of the second half.  However, SMSU finished with a 17-2 run to earn a split with USF in the season series.

Next for USF will be a nonconference game with Midland College at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the Stewart Center.