BOX SCORE
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana connected on 10 3-point field goals and moved to 11-0 at home this season in earning a 72-66 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory on Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Megan Doyle led the Vikings (17-6, 10-6 NSIC) with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Molly Hayes added 13 points.
SMSU was led by Abby Kenealy who scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Tori Fink chipped in with 18 points. The 19-point effort was the highest for Kenealy since scoring 19 points at St. Cloud State on Dec. 10.
The victory by Augustana avenges a 63-56 loss to SMSU earlier this season on Dec. 3 in Marshall.
SMSU shot 42 percent (24 of 57) from the field, including 4 of 12 from 3-point range. The Mustang committed just 11 turnovers in the game, its lowest in six games.
The Vikings used an early 11-2 run to build its largest lead of the half at 23-10, with 11 minutes and 39 seconds left in the opening half.
SMSU would rally and trim the lead to 30-23 following a pair of free throws by Hannah Beeler at the 5:53 mark. Following a 3-pointer by the Vikings, SMSU used a quick 7-2 run to cut the lead to 35-30 on a Abby Kenealy jumper with 26 seconds left, before Augustana closed the half with a field goal to push the lead to 37-30 at halftime.
SMSU opened the second half on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 37 with 18 minutes remaining following a pair of Kenealy free throws. The Vikings came right back and scored 14 unanswered points to push the lead to 51-37 at the 14:21 mark.
The Mustangs pulled to within 54-47 with 11 minutes remaining after a 3-pointer and layup by Bree Holleman, but the Vikings came right back with a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to extend the lead back to 14 points.
SMSU wouldn't go away and rallied back, as Fink scored on a layup with 43 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 70-65, but that was as close as the Mustangs would get to pulling off the upset.
Southwest Minnesota State returns home next weekend for a pair of conference games. The Mustangs host Concordia University on Friday, Feb. 11, and St. Cloud State on Saturday, Feb. 12. Both games begin at 6 p.m.
