Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn.- Southwest Minnesota State (2-15, 2-11 NSIC) trailed by as many as 18 points in the game's final quarter before the Mustangs put together a late run to get within striking distance, but Concordia-St. Paul (12-7, 8-5 NSIC) closed out its 67-63 victory at the free throw line in the final minute as the SMSU comeback came up just short on Friday night in the R/A Facility.

Lauren Hedlund scored 10 of her team leading 19 points during the Mustangs' late push as SMSU clawed its way back into the game late with the help of sloppy play from the Golden Bears.

Concordia-St. Paul shot just 34 percent from the field in the second half after hitting almost half of its first half attempts. SMSU had 17 points off of the Golden Bears' 13 turnovers but struggled to create much offense as the Mustangs finished the night just 22-of-64 (35 percent) from the field. 

The Golden Bears went on a 9-0 run to end the first quarter and led by as many as 20 in the second quarter as Concordia-St. Paul carried a commanding 41-24 lead into the halftime break.

A made three pointer from Anna Schmitt and a layup from Hanna Vidlund gave Concordia-St. Paul a 63-45 lead with 5:13 to play. The Mustangs then came storming back by way of a 16-0 run that was capped off by a made layup from Hedlund with 1:11 left to play as Concordia-St. Paul clung to a 63-61 lead.

SMSU went 6-of-8 shooting including 2-of-3 on three point attempts during the run. The Mustangs also forced four turnovers during their late run which lasted just over four minutes.

Sarah Buysse came up short on what would have been a game tying layup with just 26 seconds to play and the Golden Bears converted 4-of-4 free throws in the final seconds to put the game to rest.

SMSU now turns its attention to Minnesota State as it hosts MSU Saturday evening at 5 p.m., in the R/A Facility.