BOX SCORE
MARSHALL, Minn. – The New Year didn't bring the SMSU women's basketball team any luck, yet. The Mustangs dropped its 2011 opener 60-67 at the hands of Minnesota, Crookston. SMSU falls to 2-9 overall and 1-6 in NSIC play while the Golden Eagles improve to 5-5, 2-4 NSIC.
Tori Fink led all players with 19 points and a career-high six steals against the Golden Eagles tonight. This was the third consecutive game that Fink has scored 19 or more points for the Mustangs. Fink was just one of four Mustangs to hit double-digits in tonight's game.
Abby Kenealy finished with 13 points and six rebounds for the Mustangs,
Heather Smith hit double-digits for the first time this season finishing with 11 points and
Lucia Puchelova earned double-figures for the first time finishing with 10 points.
Minnesota, Crookston turned the ball over 15 times in the first half but was able to head into the locker room at halftime tied at 31. Fink accounted for four of the Golden Eagle turnovers picking up four steals in the first half.
Fink earned four easy points in the first half after picking up two steals and cruising down court for the easy lay-in. The senior finished the first half with eight points. Puchelova, making her second start of the season, earned her time picking up eight points and two steals in the first half against the Golden Eagles.
Minnesota, Crookston overcame its own turnovers in the first half by shooting 45 percent from the floor and a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line. The Mustangs shot 30 percent as a team in the first half while shooting 5 of 7 from the charity stripe.
Southwest Minnesota State came out from halftime and grabbed an early lead on a jumper from Puchelova. The Mustangs would hold a slim lead for the first five minutes of the first half before the Golden Eagles took the lead for good with 11:36 to play in the game.
The Mustangs couldn't get the shots to fall all night shooting 23 of 70 just 32 percent from the floor on the night. SMSU continued to turn the Golden Eagles over, UMC committed 24 turnovers. This was the second time the Mustangs forced 24 turnovers in a game this season. The Mustangs forced Minnesota-Morris to turn the ball over 24 times on Nov. 20.
The Mustangs return to action tomorrow night hosting MSU Moorhead at 6 p.m. at the R/A Facility in Marshall.
