BOX SCORE
MARSHALL, Minn. – Abby Kenealy's 17 points led SMSU to a 68-59 NSIC win over MSU Moorhead tonight at the R/A Facility in Marshall. The win snapped a six-game losing streak for SMSU. The Mustangs last win came on Dec. 3, 2010 in the conference opener against Augustana. SMSU improves to 3-9 on the season and 2-6 in NSIC play while MSU Moorhead falls to 7-4, 4-3 NSIC.
Laura Kramer ended the night one rebound shy of her sixth career double-double picking up 14 points and nine rebounds for SMSU. Kramer, Kenealy,
Amber Peterson, and
Bree Holleman all finished in double digits for the Mustangs. Peterson and Holleman finished with 10 points each, which was a career-high for both players.
The Mustangs shot a season high 53 percent from the floor in the win over the Dragons. Kramer led the way shooting 7 of 10 from the floor while grabbing nine rebounds. Kenealy grabbed five rebounds for SMSU while dishing out a career-high six assists.
The Mustangs came out strong in the first half storming to an early 9-0 lead. SMSU's lead would grow to 11-2 on a jump shot by Kramer. Kramer and Kenealy found themselves in foul trouble early for SMSU and spent most of the first half on the bench with two fouls each.
Lucia Puchelova took charge in the first half and put up six points for SMSU. The senior hit 4 of 4 free throws in the first half to help SMSU battle to a tie at 31 going into the break. Kenealy and Kramer proved to be a force inside in the first half. The duo accounted for 12 of SMSU's 31 points.
The Mustangs were 12 of 24 shooting in the first half while the Dragons shot just 38 percent from the floor as a team.
SMSU was out-rebounded by the Dragons 40 to 28 but the Mustangs were able to put back enough rebounds to come away with the win. SMSU outscored MSU Moorhead 30-24 in the paint. The game saw eight tie scores and eight lead changes.
SMSU was 11 of 13 from the free throw line shooting 84 percent while the Dragons shot just 61 percent from the charity stripe.
The Mustangs will pick up NSIC play on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Mankato, Minn. to take on Minnesota State. The opening tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
