Box Score
MARSHALL, Minn.- Southwest Minnesota State (2-7, 1-5 NSIC) had shots falling early and finished 55 percent from the floor in the opening quarter, but SMSU suffered fromm multiple scoring droughts in the next three quarters as Sioux Falls (7-2, 5-1) came away with a 69-54 win on Saturday evening in the R/A Facility.

Sadie Stelter was the only SMSU player to reach double figures in the scoring column as she finished with 11 points. Caleigh Rodning had eight points and team highs with nine rebounds and four assists. 

USF capitalized on 20 Mustang turnovers and held a 25-8 advantage in points off of turnovers for the game. SMSU shot well ealry, but finished just 34 percent (19 of 56) from the floor for the game.

The Cougars went 9 of 26 (35 percent) on three point attempts while SMSU was just 6 of 21 (29 percent) for the game.

SMSU came out strong offensively with an 8-2 run to open the first quarter. The Mustangs shot 55 percent (6 of 11) from the floor in the opening quarter as the Mustangs' post players, Lauren Hedlund and Abuk Akoi, combined for nine points on 5 of 6 shooting.
 
USF went on a 19-1 run over the final minutes of the first quarter until the six minute mark of the second quarter, giving the Cougars a 28-16 advantage. USF finished 5 of 11 (46 percent) shooting on three point attempts in the first half.
 
The Mustangs closed the second quarter with a 15-7 advantage over the final six minutes of the first half which was capped off by a pair of triples in the final 34 seconds to cut Sioux Falls' halftime lead to just four at 35-31.

SMSU went on a 6-0 burst late in the third quarter to take its first lead since mid first quarter, but USF went on a 14-3 run during the fourth period. SMSU went just 1 of 6 shooting during the Cougars' fourth quarter run while Sioux Falls went 5 of 9 shooting to build a double-digit lead which it would carry through to the game's conclusion.

SMSU will travel to the University of North Dakota for an exhibition game on Monday night at 7 p.m., before preparing to host Augustana and Wayne State on Dec. 30th and 31st respectively.