BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. - Megan Stadler netted a game-high 15 points and hit three key free throws down the stretch to lead Southwest Minnesota State to a 62-58 win over Mary Saturday night in Marshall, Minn.  The victory completes a weekend sweep for the Mustangs.

SMSU improves to 5-2 (2-1 NSIC); U-Mary drops to 1-6 (0-4 NSIC).

SMSU, which defeated Northern State last night, completes its first conference weekend sweep since February 2008 and its first home conference weekend sweep since February 2006.

Stadler, who shot 50 percent from the floor in the win,  scored SMSU's final six points of the contest and helped the Mustangs fend off a late push from the visiting Maruaders.

Heather Smith added 10 points and six rebounds for the Mustangs.  Laura Kramer led SMSU with seven rebounds.

The Marauders jumped out to a seven-point lead just under six minutes into the contest when Abby Braitlen nailed a lay-up to make it 13-6.  The bucket gave U-Mary the largest advantage it would have in the opening half.

SMSU went to work erasing the seven-point deficit, using a Tori Fink three-pointer and four straight points from Kramer to tie the contest at 13 apiece.  The Mustangs eventually took the lead with 7:24 left before the half when Stadler connected on a jumper from the left baseline to give her squad a 17-15 lead.  The lead grew to five 30 seconds later after Miley Hunziker drained a three-pointer.

The Marauders quickly answered with an 8-0 run to regain their lead and hold a 26-20 lead with 3:41 remaining.  The Mustangs had an immediate answer of their own, scoring four of the next six points to trail by two heading into the locker room.

The Mustangs wasted little time establishing a lead in the second half, taking their first advantage one minute in when Abby Kenealy's basket made it 30-28.  SMSU would extend that lead to seven points off another Kenealy bucket to give the Mustangs a 39-32 advantage with 13:06 left in the contest.

The Marauders, however, fought their way back and earned themselves a 49-48 lead after Rachel Zillmer finished out a three-point play with 6:40 left in the contest.

A pair of Fink free throws 40 seconds later gave the Mustangs the decisive lead.  U-Mary got to within one-point, but SMSU was too much down the stretch as Taylor Voss hit two free throws and a three-pointer before Stadler's six-point, game-closing performance sealed the win.

Marlee Finleys's game-high 18 points led the Marauders.

SMSU will take a break from conference play next week, hosting Minnesota-Morris on Thursday and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Friday before adjourning for the holiday break.