BOX SCORE

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team lost its second straight game on Saturday at the Concordia Classic, hosted by Concordia University, St. Paul. The Mustangs put together a strong second half but couldn't come all the way back falling 63-57 to Northern Michigan. SMSU falls to 1-3 on the season while Northern Michigan improves to 4-2.

Abby Kenealy led the Mustangs with 13 points while Airelle Eldridge finished with 12 points against the Huskies. The Mustangs started the second half where they left off yesterday afternoon, cold. SMSU hit just eight field goals on 33 attempts. SMSU was just 1 of 5 from 3-point range in the first half. The Mustangs trailed by 15 points going into halftime.

Freshman Ellen Degler led the Mustangs came off the bench to lead the Mustangs in the first half. Degler was 2 of 8 shooting , but hit both of her free throw attempts finishing with six points. She would finish the game with nine points and six rebounds.

The Mustangs came out strong in the second half striking a comeback from down 15. Tori Fink was able to turn the Wildcats over just 20 seconds into the second half, leading to a Kenealy jumpshot. The Mustangs would continue to cut into the Wildcats lead thanks to a 15-0 run to start the second half.

Eldridge tied the score at 36-36 with 14 minutes left to play in the game. Southwest Minnesota State would turn the ball over on its next two possessions allowing NMU to jump back out to an eight point lead.

Kenealy hit double-digits for the third time this season and led the Mustangs in scoring for the first time this season. Kenealy had a big second half picking up nine points. The junior was held to just rebound in the game. Laura Kramer led all players in the game grabbing 11 boards. It is the first time this season a Mustang has hit double-digits in rebounds.

Fink finished the game with nine points hitting two shots from 3-point range. The senior added five steals in the game, while the team finished with 12. The Mustangs finished the game shooting 36 percent as a team from the floor while the Wildcats shot 48 percent. Southwest Minnesota State was able turn the Huskies over 23 times in the game while only giving up 15.

The Mustangs will open the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule next weekend when they host Augustana on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. SMSU will then welcome Wayne State on Saturday at 6 p.m.