> Box Score
MARSHALL, Minn. — The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team suffered its second non-conference game loss of the weekend opener to the hand of Pittsburg State, 92-73, Sunday afternoon.
SMSU (0-2) finished the game shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 72.7 percent from behind the arc making 8-11 threes. The Mustangs also were 68.8 percent from the stripe making 11-16 free throws.
PSU (3-0) entered today game after playing a pair of games the previous two days at the Radisson Hotel Roseville Classic in St. Paul, Minn. The Gorillas shot 58.6 percent on the day while hitting 20-29 free throws for a 69 percent from the line.
Freshman,
Lauren Hedlund came in off the bench to lead the Mustangs in numerous categories. The Hinton, Iowa native recorded 23 points while grabbing eight rebounds in just 19 minutes of playing time. She also recorded an assist along with a pair of steals.
Annessa Rosch contributed 13 points while
Abby Connell tallied 12.
Hope Bonlander also helped in the paint as she pulled down four rebounds.
The first half the Mustangs were hot from downtown as they were 80 percent from three making 4-of-5.
Abby Connell scored all of her 12 points in the first half to lead the Mustangs offense. The SMSU was 37.5 percent from the field in the first half of play and 60 percent from the free-throw line. Pitt State led at the break, 44-25, as it posted 30 points in the paint while capitalizing on Mustangs tournovers with 14 points.
In the second, SMSU came out with more energy as it shot 64.3 percent from the field in the half as Hedlund led the offense with her 23 points. SMSU scored another 12 points on three's as it went 4-6 from behind the arc. Southwest Minnesota State increased their layup shots as it scored 26 points in the paint and also scored seven on second chances as well as six fast break points. Pitt State matched its energy as it led the second half by double figures and did not give the lead up once the entire game.
Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball will travel to Kearney, Neb., on Friday to play Nebraska-Kearney in its third non-conference match. Tipoff is set to be at 6 p.m.
