Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn.—Southwest Minnesota State (0-5, 0-1 NSIC) was unable to overcome a blistering night of shooting from the University of Sioux Falls (5-0, 1-0 NSIC) who finished the night 12-of-23 shooting on three pointers in a 75-40 win for the Cougars.
 
In her season debut, sophomore guard Sarah Buysse led the Mustangs in scoring with 14 points after going 8-of-11 from the free throw line in 27 minutes of action. Her younger sister, Emily, also made her season debut scoring her first career bucket late in the opening quarter.
 
Freshman Caleigh Rodning continued to build on her strong early season offensive production going 57 percent from the field with 12 points and three rebounds. The Sioux Falls defense held the Mustangs' leading scorer Lauren Hedlund scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting but Hedlund was able to pull in five rebounds and finished the game without committing a turnover.
 
SMSU struggled overall as a group in the turnover department as the Mustangs finished with a negative 10 difference while giving up 18 total points off turnovers.
 
Sioux Falls came out strong shooting 53 percent from the field including 3-of-6 from three pointers in the first quarter as the Cougars raced out to a 24-14 lead after one. The Mustangs were then held to a season low five points in the third quarter as Sioux Falls went into halftime with a 39-19 lead.
 
Sioux Falls would pour in another seven three pointers in the second half as SMSU trailed by as many as 37 points in the fourth quarter. With the decision well in hand, coach Tom Webb was able to get some experience for his bench as all 12 players on the SMSU roster saw the floor during the game.
 
SMSU will hit the road next weekend in search of its first win of the season when they face Upper Iowa on Friday at 6 p.m. The Mustangs will then continue its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule against Winona State on Saturday at 4 p.m.