Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - Minnesota State recorded four players with double-digit points to help defeat Southwest Minnesota State, 88-77 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's basketball.

SMSU (3-16, 1-12 NSIC) finished shooting 40 percent (32 of 80) from the floor and 58.8 percent (10 of 17) from the charity stripe. MSU (6-11, 5-8 NSIC) shot 45.1 percent (32-71) from the field and 68 percent (17 of 25) from the stripe.

Hope Bonlander led SMSU with 23 points (10 of 15) and pulled down 10 rebounds to earn her second double-double of her career. Annessa Rosch added 17 points (8 of 19), while Sarah Buysse scored 14 points (5 of 11). Lauren Hedlund pulled down nine rebounds and Taylor Silva nabbed three steals.

The two teams traded baskets over the first four minutes, before MSU took a six-point lead following a layup and 3-pointer with 5:43 left in the first quarter. The Mavericks built their largest lead in the second quarter, 28-19 with 7:40 left in the half but SMSU would not go down. The Mustangs cut the deficit to one with 3:53 left and grabbed a one-point lead following a Connell 3-pointer at 2:01. MSU regained the lead before the break to hold a 42-39 advantage.

MSU controlled the second half and did not give up the lead despite SMSU cutting the lead to one following a 3-pointer by Silva with 5:02 left in the third quarter. MSU built its largest lead of the game so far in the beginning of the fourth quarter as it led 70-60 with 9:34 left to play. SMSU kept it close going down the stretch and trailed by as few as three with 4:09 left, but an 8-1 run gave the Mavericks a double-digit lead again with 1:40 left. MSU would hold off SMSU in the final minute to defeat the Mustangs 88-77.

Southwest Minnesota State will host Concordia-St. Paul tomorrow at 5 p.m.