BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. - Megan Stadler hit two free throws with 5.5 seconds remaining in regulation to break a 64-64 tie and lift Southwest Minnesota State past Northern State 66-64 Friday night in Marshall, Minn., in the Mustangs' conference home opener.

SMSU improves to 4-2 (1-1 NSIC), while NSU drops to 3-5 (0-3 NSIC).

Stadler set up her game-winning free throws with a key offensive rebound in the Mustangs' final possession of the game.  With the shot clock nearing zero and the game clock at seven seconds, teammate Tori Fink launched a three-pointer.  Stadler snagged the board and was quickly fouled, putting her at the charity stripe to sink a pair of free throws.

NSU's final three-point attempt with one second left was well behind the arc and off the mark.

Stadler finished the contest with 11 points and a game-high five assists.  Heather Smith's season-high 19 points paced the Mustangs.

The Mustangs opened the contest red hot from behind the arc, connecting on six three-pointers in the first half.  The long-distance effort sparked a 10-0 run midway through the half--keyed by three-pointers from Smith, Stadler and Puchelova.  The spurt gave the Mustangs a 21-11 advantage with 10 minutes left before the break.

The Wolves fought their way back to a 26-26 tie off a Krista Rabenberg bucket with just over four minutes left before halftime.  SMSU hit a trio of layups just before half to regain its lead.  The Mustangs led 34-30 heading into the locker room.

SMSU shot 60.0 percent from behind the arc and was led by Smith's 10 points in the first half.

The Mustangs stretched their lead to as many as 11 points in the second half.  NSU began their game-ending surge with just over four minutes left , getting to within one point with 1:11 remaining off a pair of Emily Becken free throws.  The Wolves tied the game at 64 apiece with 38 seconds left when Rabenberg drilled a jumper.

It was another 30 seconds before SMSU made their final-possession basket to edge out the win.

The Wolves held a large advantage in the rebound column, bettering the Mustangs 40-27 in the category.

The Mustangs were stellar from outside, hitting 9-of-17 from behind the arc for a 52.9 percent clip.

Mikayla Barondeau's 23 points led NSU.

SMSU will host Mary tomorrow at 6 p.m.