BOX SCORE

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Southwest Minnesota State held off a late charge by Missouri Valley College to earn a 59-56 victory at the Northwest Missouri State Classic on Saturday evening. 

The win was the first of the season for SMSU, improving to 1-3 overall, while MVC drops to 2-4.

Hope Bonlander led three SMSU scorers in double figures with 13 points on 5 of 6 shooting, while Bree Holleman added 11 points and Rebekah Rolling chipped in with 10 points. 

SMSU finished the night shooting 48 percent (21 of 44) from the field, including 5 of 12 from 3-point range.  The Mustangs held a 38-33 rebound advantage, but committed 25 turnovers in the victory.

SMSU opened the game strong, putting together an 11-0 run, highlighted by seven straight points from Bonlander to build a 17-6 lead with 13 minutes left in the opening half.

The Vikings slowly cut into the Mustang advantage and used a 5-0 spurt late in the half to take their first lead of the game at 27-24 with 2:30 remaining in the half, before settling for a 29-26 halftime lead.

SMSU answered with a big start to begin the second half, scoring the first 10 points, to take a 36-29 lead with the rally capped by a Rolling field at the 16:18 mark.

SMSU had its lead trimmed to one points on several occasions, but would never relinquish the lead.  Leading 47-46 with 6:15 left in the game, Holleman drilled a 3-pointer to push the lead to 50-46.  Following a field goal by MVC, a Jessie Watts jumper and two free throws by Emille Duske expanded the lead to 54-48 with 4:24 remaining.

MVC wouldn't go away and cut the lead to 56-54 with 1:30 remaining, before SMSU freshman Mikalya Saathoff slowed the run with a layup to make it a two possession game.

SMSU had chances to close out the game in the final minute, but a turnover and three missed free throws gave MVC two chances to tie the game in the final seconds, but a 3-point field goal attempt was blocked by Hannah Beehler to secure the SMSU victory.

Sami Jackson led Missouri Valley with 15 points.  The Vikings shot 39 percent (25 of 65) from the field and made just one 3-pointer.  

Southwest Minnesota State continues non-conference play on Sunday, Nov. 25, at NCAA Division I Nebraska-Omaha with tip-off slated for 2 p.m.