Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team suffered an 88-72 loss to the University of Sioux Falls in its final Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game of 2015.

SMSU (3-9, 1-5 NSIC) suffered its second loss of the season to the Cougars as they finished shooting 27 of 56 for a 48.2 percent mark. USF (11-1, 5-1 NSIC) finished shooting 50.9 percent connecting on 29 of 57 attempts.

The SMSU offense was led by Lauren Hedlund who tied her career-high netting 23 points for her third 20-plus game of the season. Annessa Rosch added to the effort with 12 points, while also dishing out a career-high seven assists.

SMSU held a 35-27 rebound advantage as Hope Bonlander and Sarah Buysse controlled the paint each pulling down seven boards, while Hedlund grabbed five. SMSU made use of nine offensive boards by scoring eight second-chance points.

Both teams fought for the lead, but USF went on a 17-8 run in the last five minutes of the first quarter to lead 30-20 after the first 10 minutes. The Cougars continued to build their lead as they led by 24 with 3:47 left in the half-largest of the game-and went on to lead 52-32 at the half.

Rosch led the Mustangs at the break with eight points, while Taylor Hilicky and Hedlund added seven.

USF continued to lead in the third frame despite SMSU cutting the lead down to 10 with 3:26 left in the quarter at 60-50 after a 16-8 run to start the half. SMSU continued to cut the deficit as it trailed by seven with 3:40 left in the game, but could not complete the comeback as the Cougars kept the Mustangs from scoring the rest of the game.

Southwest Minnesota State will resume play in the new year, traveling to Wayne State on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016 before playing Augustana on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. Both games are set to start at 3 p.m.