Box Score
MARSHALL, Minn.- Abuk Akoi set a new career high with 10 points as three Southwest Minnesota State players reached double figures but SMSU came up short on New Year's Eve in a 76-60 loss at the hands of Wayne State on Sunday afternoon in the R/A Facility.
Caleigh Rodning led the Mustangs with 12 points and eight boards while
Meleah Reinhart went 4 of 7 from the field with 10 total points.
Sadie Stelter struggled to find her shooting stroke but dished out a team high four assists in the contest.
The Wildcats came out on fire offensively as Wayne State went 9 of 14 (64 percent) shooting from the floor in the opening quarter including 3 of 4 from deep.
WSC outscored the Mustangs 16-4 during a five-minute stretch in the first quarter in which SMSU connected on just one made field goal.
SMSU improved its shooting numbers in the second quarter, going 6 of 14 (43 percent) in the second frame.
Caleigh Rodning finished the opening half with 11 points and seven boards but SMSU was unable to keep up with the Wildcats' offense as WSC finished 6 of 11 (55 percent) on three pointers in the first half with a 19-13 rebounding advantage and an 11-4 advantage in second chance points.
Wayne State finished the first half on a 6-2 run over the final two minutes and carried a 45-32 lead into the break.
Both teams struggled offensively in the second half especially to start as the third quarter went scoreless for nearly three minutes to begin the period. SMSU finished the third quarter just 2 of 10 from the field as a team and managed just seven points.
Wayne State saw its hot shooting day cool off in the second half as the Wildcats went just 5 of 18 (28 percent) shooting in the third and 0 of 10 on second half three point attempts.
The Wildcats led by as many as 21 following two second half bursts. Paige Ballinger and Brittany Bongartz combined for 33 points in the post for the Wildcats as Bongartz grabbed a career high 18 points on 7 of 13 shooting.
Southwest Minnesota State will head back on the road next weekend as they face Winona State on Friday night at 6 p.m., followed by Upper Iowa on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.
