MARSHALL, Minn. – St. Cloud State used a late first half surge and 27 SMSU turnovers to defeat Southwest Minnesota State 72-61 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's basketball action on Friday night. SCSU improves to 4-3, 1-2 NSIC while the Mustangs fall to 1-6, 0-3 in NSIC play.

Abby Kenealy led all players with 23 points. Kenealy has scored 20 or more points three times this season and has reached double-digits in points in six of SMSU's seven games. She also led SMSU on the boards finishing with seven rebounds.

Sam Price led the Huskies with 16 points connecting on 6 of 14 shots from the field. Price was one of three players to reach double-digits for the Huskies. Amanda Wagner finished with 12 points and Rachael Moen added 11 points. 

The Mustangs out-rebounded the Huskies in the game38 to 32 but the Huskies were able to grab 35 points off turnovers to help down the Mustangs. SMSU turned the ball over 27 times in the game.

Bonlander got the Mustangs on the board early connecting on a 3-pointer to start the game. Two minutes ticked off the clock before either team would score when Price put in a bucket for the Huskies.

With SMSU leading 15-14 at the midway point of the first half, the Huskies went on a 7-0 run to take a 21-15 lead. The Huskies would push their lead 14 on a bucket by Amanda Wagner. Wagner hit a 3-pointer with 43 seconds left in the half to give SCSU an 11-point 36-25 halftime lead.

The Mustangs shot 42 percent in the first half compared to 38 percent for the Huskies, but 19 first half turnovers helped the Huskies take a lead into the locker room.

Hope Bonlander was the only other Mustang to reach double-digits finishing with 11 points. Jessie Watts matched her season-high with seven rebounds.

SCSU extended its lead to 19 points at 50-31 following four points of Mustang turnovers. The Mustangs began to eat away at the lead with the Huskies in foul trouble. SMSU shot 20 free throws in the game connecting on 70 percent.

Southwest Minnesota State returns home tomorrow night hosting Concordia-St. Paul beginning at 6 p.m. at the R/A Facility in Marshall.