Box Score
 
ABERDEEN, S.D. — The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team suffered a 79-52 loss to Northern State in the first round of the NSIC / Sanford Health Tournament on Wednesday night in Wachs Arena. SMSU finished the season 5-24 overall, while NSU improves to 22-6.
 
SMSU (5-24) finished shooting 31 percent (15 of 51) from the field and 78 percent (18 of 23) from the free-throw line. NSU (22-6) finished shooting 51 percent (32 of 63) from the floor and 75 percent (6 of 8) from 3-point range. NSU dominated the paint, as it held a 43-29 rebound advantage and a 40-20 lead in points in the paint. The Wolves also held a 30-8 favor in bench points.
 
Hope Bonlander led all scorers with 21 points on 6 of 12 shooting, including scoring 3 of 3 from the charity stripe. Annessa Rosch added 14 points on 6 of 14 attempts and a 3-pointer. Lauren Hedlund and Bonlander both recorded six recounds, while Taylor Holicky pulled down five.
 
Both teams fought for the lead to start the game, as SMSU took the lead a 4-3 lead and also led 7-6 following a 3-pointer by Bonlander with 5:18 left in the first quarter. NSU retook the lead after a 9-0 run down the stretch to lead 15-7 with 1:47 left in the first. Rosch cut the Wolves lead to seven following a 3-pointer with 8:37 left in the half, but NSU put together an 18-1 run over the next six minutes and 17 seconds to lead 39-15 with 2:20 left. Bonlander scored a layup to break the run with two minutes left in the half as NSU went on to lead 44-17 at the break.
 
NSU kept the presser on SMSU, as it started the second half on an 11-2 run to build a 36-point lead with 5:58 left in the quarter. The Wolves continued to control as it pushed it lead to the largest of the game at 67-26 with 1:47 left in the frame. SMSU would out score the Wolves 23-10 in the fourth quarter, but fall 79-52.
 
The game was the final for SMSU seniors: Hope Bonlander, Annessa Rosch, Brianna VonWahlde and Megan DeRuyter.