BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State opened the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season in style on Friday night with a 63-56 upset victory over No. 17 and previous unbeaten Augustana College.

The victory for SMSU(2-3, 1-0 NSIC) was its first over Augie (7-1, 0-1 NSIC) since the 2003-04 season, snapping a seven-game losing streak. It was also SMSU's first win over a ranked team since Nov. 23, 2009, versus Hillsdale (Mich.)

Abby Kenealy led SMSU with a game-high 20 points with nine rebounds. Jessie Watts and Tori Fink each added nine points to help the Mustangs snap a two-game losing streak.

Augustana had four players score in double figures with Kristi Board scoring a team-high 13 points with eight rebounds.

SMSU, which led 28-20 at halftime, saw Augie rally in the second half and take a 36-35 lead with 13 minutes and 20 seconds left in the game. The Mustangs quickly answered with a 3-pointer from Amber Peterson to regain the lead and never looked back.

Holding a 40-38 lead with 11:31 remaining, SMSU went on a 10-2 run over the next four minutes to take its largest lead of the night at 50-40 with 7:58 on the clock.

SMSU pushed the margin to 57-44 with 1:51 left in the game before Augie made one last push to pull to within 57-51 with 51 seconds left, but the Mustangs made enough free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

SMSU played solid defense in the opening half forcing the Vikings into 13 first half turnovers and limited Augie to just 26.1 percent shooting from the field, including 0 of 7 from 3-point range.

The Mustangs built an early 10-5 lead in the first four and a half minutes before the Vikings rallied and took their first lead of the half at 16-15 with 6:56 remaining in the half. Augie held an 18-17 lead with five minutes on the clock before SMSU closed the half on a 11-2 run, limiting the Vikings to just one field goal, in building a 28-20 halftime lead.

Abby Kenealy hit a pair of free throws to give SMSU a 19-18 lead with 4:48 left, before Bree Holleman pushed the lead to 21-18 with a basket at the 4:13 mark. Following an Augustana turnover, the Mustangs extended the margin to 24-18 on a 3-pointer by Watts with 3:35 left in the half.

Watts led the Mustangs with nine first half points on 3 of 4 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers.

The Vikings started the second half strong and tied the game at 35-35 with 14:11 remaining, before taking the lead at 36-35 with 13:20 on the clock on the free throw by Lydia Nelson.

SMSU finished the night shooting 31.5 percent (17 of 54) from the field, including 7 of 15 from 3-point range and holding a 47-35 rebound advantage.

The Mustangs continue conference play tomorrow night hosting No. 18 and preseason NSIC favorite Wayne State at 6:05 p.m.