BOX SCORE

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Southwest Minnesota State shot just 19 percent in the first half and despite a furious second half rally, dropped a 73-64 decision to Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon at the Pittsburg State (Kan.) Classic.

Bree Holleman led SMSU (0-2) with a career-high 26 points on 8 of 16 shooting with five 3-pointers.  Holleman was 5 of 5 from the free throw line and added three rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Val Sahr poured in 15 points, while Mikayla Saathoff chipped in with 10 points for the Mustangs.

SMSU was just 5 of 26 from the field in the opening half and trailed 34-18 at halftime.

The Lions (1-1) pushed the lead to 24 on several occasions, including 53-32 with nine minutes and 32 seconds left in the game, before SMSU slowly rallied and trimmed the deficit to 67-62 with 36 seconds remaining.  Missouri Southern answered the late run with a field goal and made several free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

SMSU finished the game shooting 34 percent (18 of 53) from the field, including 10 of 23 from 3-point range.  The Mustangs were outrebounded 38-25 and was outscored 26-14 in the paint.

SMSU returns to non-conference action next weekend with two games at the Northwest Missouri State Classic.  SMSU opens with Northwest Missouri State on Nov. 16 starting at 7 p.m., before taking on Missouri Valley on Nov. 17 with tip-off set for 4 p.m.