Box Score

CROOKSTON, Minn.- Southwest Minnesota State (2-13, 2-9 NSIC) scored 38 points in the paint as Taylor Holicky scored a career high 22 points to lead the Mustangs in a 75-66 win over Minnesota Crookston (4-11, 4-7 NSIC), snapping an eight game losing streak on Friday night in the Lysaker Gymnasium.

Caleigh Rodning notched her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 14 rebounds while also adding two blocks and two steals on defense. Taylor Holicky added seven rebounds to her career scoring night and Lauren Hedlund had three blocked shots in addition to her 13 points.

The Mustangs followed up a season high in blocks in their last game with another six blocks and five steals in the win.

SMSU rebounded from its worst free throw shooting game of the year by knocking down 17-of-20 free throws as SMSU hit a season high 67 percent on three point attempts (6-of-9). SMSU's nine attempts from deep was also tied a season low as the Mustangs controlled the inside with a 38-28 advantage in points in the paint.

The Mustangs also held a 43-30 rebounding advantage in the first win for SMSU against Minnesota Crookston since 2012.

The first quarter was evenly contested as both teams shot an identical 7-of-16 (44 percent) from the field with the Mustangs edging out a 17-16 lead after a 7-0 run in the final 1:11 of the opening quarter. The Mustangs found its largest lead of the half when Emily Buysse hit a trey to make the score 29-20 but after the teams traded buckets, UMC went on a 9-0 run to even the game at 31-31.

With the game tied at 47-47, two Mustangs' three pointers and a successful Caleigh Rodning and-one gave the Mustangs a nine point cushion once again. UMC responded with an 11-0 run to regain the lead, 62-60. SMSU took over in the game's final five minutes as another 9-0 run from the Mustangs put them ahead 69-62 with 2:13 to play. The Mustangs hit 6-of-7 free throws in the games final minute to salt away their second win of the year.

SMSU will play Bemidji State on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., to wrap up the weekend as the Mustangs look to gain momentum heading into a four-game homestand.