Box Score

BISMARCK, N.D.- Taylor Silva hit a clutch layup with less than three seconds remaining in regulation, but Southwest Minnesota State (3-19, 3-15 NSIC) was unable to answer timely three pointers from U-Mary (12-14, 7-11 NSIC) as SMSU fell 82-76 in overtime on Saturday night in the McDowell Activity Center.

Caleigh Rodning had a fourth straight double-double and put forth perhaps her best performance of them all scoring a career high 24 points with 12 rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Rodning went 9-of-16 shooting (56 percent) on the night as SMSU saw a big jump offensively from the previous night, shooting 44 percent as a group versus U-Mary (SMSU shot 38 percent in win at Minot State).

Jamie Spicer hit her first three shots which were all three pointers and finished the night with 12 total points. Taylor Holicky (11) and Lauren Hedlund (10) also reached double-digits in scoring as the Mustangs carved out a 36-34 advantage in points in the paint.

For a third consecutive matchup, SMSU and U-Mary were unable to settle the score in regulation as Silva's late bucket tied the game at 69-69 to send the game into an extra frame. The two teams traded the lead 14 times during the game as the largest lead for either team reached just seven.

The Mustangs struggled offensively initially and hit just one of their first seven field goal attempts helping U-Mary to jump out to a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes. Spicer's three point shooting ignited the SMSU offense however as the Mustangs tied the game and led briefly in the final minutes of the first quarter. A five minute scoring drought from SMSU helped the Marauders close the first half with a five point lead.

Both teams traded points for most of the third quarter but Southwest Minnesota State continued to close the gap, briefly taking the lead back at the start of the fourth quarter. U-Mary was unable to convert on a field goal attempt for over four minutes into the fourth quarter, but Gabbie Bohl broke the scoreless streak with her first of five big fourth quarter field goals (Bohl went 5-of-6 in the final quarter).

U-Mary pushed its lead up to four with 3:36 to play in the game which was answered by a Holicky three pointer to get the Mustangs back within one. After answering three consecutive made layups from Bohl, SMSU was forced to extend the game by sending the Marauders to the free throw line. Dani Williams missed her first pair of shots from the charity stripe but Caleigh Rodning was then called for a traveling violation on the subsequent Mustangs' offensive possession with just over 8 seconds remaining.

SMSU was given a lifeline after Williams missed another free throw attempt which Silva then capitalized on as she knocked down the game tying layup on her first and only field goal attempt of the half. 

After U-Mary had gone 0-of-5 on three point attempts in the fourth quarter, the Marauders hit 3-of-5 timely shots from long range in the overtime period. Despite going up four early in the extra period, SMSU was unable to answer the U-Mary shooting spree as the Mustangs went just 3-of-10 overall in overtime including 0-of-7 on three point attempts. Dani Williams responded after missing three late free throw attempts with six overtime points to help U-Mary pull away.

Southwest Minnesota State will host its final pair of home games next weekend against Wayne State on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a game against Augustana on Saturday at 5 p.m.