Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team closed out the exhibition portion of its schedule Monday evening, defeating the University of Minnesota, Morris, 75-52, at the R/A Facility.

The Mustangs took control early after Sarah Buysse, Lauren Hedlund and Annessa Rosch cashed in on 16 of the 18 points after the first quarter of play.

SMSU kept the momentum going into the second quarter after Hedlund pushed the Mustang lead to 12 for its largest of the half at 20-8 with 9:04 left in the half.

Both teams started to stalled late in the second quarter as Rosch hit a three at 4:56 before Taylor Silva found the bottom of the hoop at 2:31 for the last points of the half and to give SMSU a 11 point lead going into the break 27-16.

Rosch led all Mustang scorers at the half with nine, while Hedlund had eight points and Buysse added four points. Hope Bonlander and Hedlund controlled the boards as they grabbed five boards apiece with Hedlund nabbing three steals.

Both teams opened the second half trading baskets, while Minnesota Morris cut SMSU's lead down to two at the 5:31 mark after a three pointer.

The Mustangs would go on a 10-0 run to stretch their lead to double digits again after a three by Abby Connell at 3:09 in the quarter.

The Cougars would not go away as they came back with a 8-1 run to finish the third quarter out and trail by five.

SMSU regained control and stretched the lead to double digits again with 6:11 left in the game after a pair of free throws by Hudlund gave the Mustangs a 58-48 advantage. Megan DeRuyter would drop a three in the final three minutes to maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the game.

The defense kept the Cougars scoreless the final 4:34 except for a last second layup to capture a 75-52 win.

Buysse and Hedlund led all players with 18 points apiece. Rosch finished the game with 11 points, while Silva and Taylor Holicky added seven. Holicky led the Mustang defense, pulling down eight boards while Hedlund grabbed seven and Bonlander recorded six. Silva dished out a team-high six assists while Hedlund nabbed five steals.

The Mustangs capitalized on the Cougars turnovers scoring 28 points off the 25 UMM turnovers. SMSU also scored 16 off fast breaks and 36 points in the paint.

Southwest Minnesota State will start regular season action this weekend in the Applebees Tournament hosted by SMSU. The Mustangs will open the tourney on Friday against Missouri Western State at 6 p.m., before playing Fort Hays State (Kan.) on Saturday at 5 p.m.