MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State senior Abby Kenealy became the 18th member of the 1,000-point club finishing with 16 points but it would not be enough as Northern State University (10-7, 6-6 NSIC) went on to take a 69-55 win from the Mustangs on Saturday night in Marshall. SMSU has now lost three straight games falling to 5-10, 4-7 NSIC.

Kenealy was 7 of 14 from the field to lead the Mustangs in scoring for the game. She was the only Mustang to reach double-digits. Kenealy is currently tied for 16th in scoring at SMSU with 1,014 career points.

Emily Becken led the Wolves with 16 points while Mikayla Barondeau added 13 points and six boards. Northern State scored 20 points from the free throw line, led by Becken who was 7 of 8 from the line. 

SMSU and NSU were tied at 29 going into halftime. The Mustangs shot 48 percent (13 of 27) in the first half, while the Wolves were held to 35 percent (10 of 28), including 0 of 5 from 3-point range.

Beeler led the Mustangs in scoring in the first half connecting on 4 of 4 from the field. Emily Becken led the Wolves with eight points in the half, going 4 of 4 from the free throw line.

The Mustangs scored the first basket of the game and did not lose its lead in the half. There were six tied scores in the first half.

The Wolves came out of the locker room and built an early led hitting two early buckets. Northern State would build its largest lead of the night with 1:53 remaining in the game at 68-55.

NSU won the rebounding game grabbing 34 boards, including 12 offensive rebounds. The Wolves scored 14 second-chance points.

Sam Lynn finished the game with eight points and three assists and Hannah Beeler added eight points of 4 of 6 shooting for the Mustangs.

Southwest Minnesota State is on the road next weekend at Minnesota Duluth on Friday, Jan. 20 with tip-off set for 6 p.m. The Mustangs will then travel to Bemidji State for a 4 p.m. tip-off on Saturday.