Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Southwest Minnesota State was unable to overcome a 51 percent shooting night from South Dakota Mines, who hit 11-of-23 three point attempts to hand the Mustangs their fourth straight loss to start the season.

Despite giving up the most points (85) during the four game losing skid, the Mustangs also put up their highest point total of the season (67) going 23-of-58 (40 percent) from the field and 6-of-16 (38 percent) on three pointers. SMSU also committed its fewest number of turnovers (14) so far this season.
 
Lauren Hedlund led SMSU offensively connecting on 8-of-14 field goal attempts and going 5-of-8 from the free throw line for a game high 21 points. Hedlund also pulled in four offensive rebounds and six total boards.
 
South Dakota Mines went 31-of-61 from the field for the highest shooting percentage (51) that the Mustangs have allowed by an opponent this season. The Hardrockers' 48 percent shooting from three's and 16 free throw attempts were also the highest totals for an SMSU opponent on the young season.
 
Southwest Minnesota State hit 5-of-8 three pointers in the first half and Lauren Hedlund had 13 first half points to keep the Mustangs within striking distance, but SMSU could never find a consistent answer to the hot shooting from South Dakota Mines.
 
SMSU was within four with 90 seconds to play in the first quarter, but back-to-back three pointers from the Hardrockers helped South Dakota Mines close the first quarter with a nine-point lead.
 
The Mustangs had its best offensive performance of the night in the second quarter going 9-of-17 (53 percent) from the floor. South Dakota Mines had 14 points from its bench in the second however to keep SMSU at bay and keeping the Hardrockers' lead at nine going into the halftime break.
 
As the Hardrockers' offense cooled off slightly in the third quarter, the Mustangs' went ice cold scoring just six third quarter points off just 2-of-10 shooting. South Dakota Mines saw its largest lead of 22 about halfway through the fourth quarter and finished with 40 points from its reserves off the bench in the 18-point win.
 
South Dakota Mines (1-3, 0-0) earns its first win of the season. The Mustangs (0-4, 0-0) will continue to look for win number one next Saturday as they host Sioux Falls for their home opener at 6 p.m., in the RA Facility.