>Box Score

DULUTH, Minn.— No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State continued Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play tonight as they traveled to Duluth, Minn., to play No. 3 Minnesota Duluth. SMSU was defeated by scores of 25-22, 25-23, 25-21.
 
Abbey Thissen and Sarah Parker led the Mustangs with eight kills hitting .200 and .312, respectfully.
 
Emilee Gutzmer dished out 17 assists in the game along with Megan Larson also contributing 13 assists.
 
SMSU (6-4, 1-1 NSIC) kept up with the high-powered Bulldogs offense in the first set, as there were four lead changes and 14 ties. But UMD (9-1, 2-0 NSIC) put up back-to-back blocks by Sydnie Mauch and Maddy Sirion to close set one, 25-22.
 
In the second set, Southwest Minnesota State started off with a 4-2 lead before UMD earned three points to retake the lead. SMSU regained control in the set leading by six at one point before UMD put together a three-point spree to close the lead, 20-17. Coming out of a Southwest timeout, UMD tallied three straight points to knot the score up, 20-20. The Bulldogs pulled away winning set two, 25-23.
 
In set three, SMSU tried to jump-start the offense again as they jumped out to a 3-1 lead. UMD fought back to take the lead and kept it the rest of the set despite 12 ties in the set. Minnesota Duluth finished the set winning, 25-21.
 
Southwest Minnesota State will continue NSIC play as they travel to St. Cloud, Minn., tomorrow for their second game of the weekend two-game road trip. Saturday's game is slated to start at 4 p.m. from Halenbeck Hall.