Box Score
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- Southwest Minnesota State (1-9, 1-5 NSIC) suffered from 26 turnovers and shot just 33 percent (15-of-46) against the University of Sioux Falls (9-1, 5-1 NSIC) in a 63-47 road loss on Saturday night in the Stewart Center. The game was delayed two hours due to inclement weather.
Lauren Hedlund notched another double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while
Taylor Holicky pulled in another eight boards and scored 14 off of 4-of-7 shooting. SMSU held a 39-33 rebounding advantage over the Cougars but turnovers continued to be the Mustangs' achilles heel as USF held a 23-14 lead in points off of turnovers.
After being outscored 24-14 to start the first meeting earlier this year, SMSU came out much stronger to start the rematch as they led 14-13 after the first quarter. Hedlund finished the first with seven points and four rebounds to lead both teams in each category after the first ten minutes of play.
SMSU and USF traded the lead back and forth to begin the second when the Mustangs went on an 8-0 run to take a 24-18 lead. The Mustangs went 3-of-4 shooting on the run to give SMSU its largest lead of the half. Hedlund put up a game high nine points with seven boards in the first half while Holicky added another seven rebounds. Despite giving up 16 first half turnovers the Mustangs went into the halftime break tied with Sioux Falls 24-24.
The Mustangs went just 1-of-7 from the field during a 20-3 run in the second and third quarters as USF built a 40-27 lead. SMSU would finish the quarter just 2-of-11 from the field while USF conversely hit 9-of-16 shots.
SMSU fought back using an 8-2 run to end the third and start the fourth to get within seven but USF responded with a 12-4 run of its own. USF would finish with a 34-20 advantage in points in the paint as the Cougars earned their eighth straight victory over SMSU.
The Mustangs will have the next week off before hitting the road again to face Augustana on Dec. 30 at 6 p.m., followed by a New Years Eve game against Wayne State at 4 p.m.
