SIOUX FALLS – In a back and forth tussle, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball (3-2, 0-1 NSIC) dropped a close 70-69 decision to Southwest Minnesota State (4-1, 1-0 NSIC) in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener at the Stewart Center on Tuesday night (Nov. 23).

The Cougars had a three-game winning streak come to an end with the setback. SMSU now has a 23-15 lead in the all-time series. In the series, SMSU has won five of the seven games decided by two points or fewer.

USF was led by senior guard Matt Cartwright, who had 19 points, including 4-of-11 from three-point range. Cartwright, who is drawing closer and closer to 1,000 career points (933), now has scored in double-digits in all five games this season and already has scored 116 points. In total, USF had three players in double-digits with junior guard Chase Grinde adding 12 points, a team-high seven rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot. Grinde now has 37 career games of double-digit points and now is just seven points from 800 for his career (793). Sophomore guard Jack Thompson added 10 points with a team-high six assists, two rebounds and a steal. For Thompson, he has 23 double-digit scoring games and pushed his career point total to 497. In addition, USF also had seven points apiece from Marko Coudreau and Jake Kettner.

The Cougars, which had a 20-12 advantage in second chance points, was outscored 30-to-18 in the paint and 14-to-10 in points off turnovers. Overall, USF was 25-of-62 from the field for 40.3 percent with 11-of-28 conversion from three-point range for 39.3 percent. The Cougars hit 8-of-11 field goals for 72.7 percent. As for SMSU, the Mustangs were led in scoring by Jake Phipps with 22 points and six rebounds. He hit 4-of-5 from three-point range and 8-of-12 overall. Kenny Byers added 16 points for the Mustangs, which hit 27-of-59 shots for 45.8 percent but were a torrid 11-of-17 from three-point range for 64.7 percent. SMSU also had a 33-32 edge on the boards.

Scoring Summary --
In the opening half, USF was able to open up a 34-21 lead before SMSU had a late run of 16-0 to tie the game at 38-38 at the halftime break. In the opening half USF hit 14-of-35 field goals for 40 percent but was out-shot by SMSU, which made 14-of-32 for 43.8 percent. Both teams had solid efforts from three-point range in the opening half. The Cougars were 7-of-20 while SMSU hit 8-of-12 for a sizzling 66.7 percent. USF also had a 20-16 margin on the boards in a half that included 13 lead changes and three ties. Cartwright led USF with 10 points while Jake Phipps had 13 for SMSU.
 
After USF took a 13-9 lead on a Cartwright triple, SMSU rebounded for a 14-13 margin at the 12:04 mark. Then, USF took over and outscored SMSU, 24-7 for a 36-21 lead after Austin Slater scored inside with 6:07 to play in the first half. Then, the Mustangs came roaring back as Phipps hit a trio of triples around one by Byers to tie the game at 38-38 at the break.

SMSU, which shot 13-of-27 for 48.1 percent in the second half, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, opened quickly and built a lead to 48-42 with 15:39 to play on a free throw by Phipps. Later, SMSU pushed the lead to 59-51 at the 9:54 mark when Byers made a lay-up.

USF, which was 11-of-27 for 40.7 percent and 4-of-8 from three-point range in the second half, responded with an 8-4 run to draw within 63-59 after a Grinde three-pointer with 5:47 to play in the second half.

Down the stretch, USF continually drew close but couldn't get over the hump. USF cut the lead to 63-62 on a Cartwright three with 3:31 to play. Two free throws by Cartwright helped USF stay within 65-64 at the 2:42 mark. With 1:01 to play, he again had a pair of foul shots to draw close at 68-67. Then, Phipps hit a jumper for SMSU followed by Grande's basket in the paint to cut the lead to 70-69. USF had a shot at the win in the final seconds after a missed SMSU free throw but the shot was off line as the Cougars dropped a tough decision.