Box Score
MARSHALL, Minn.- Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota Crookston began the final quarter of play tied at 51-51, but SMSU was unable to create enough offense down the stretch as UMC escaped the R/A Facility with a 65-61 on Friday night.
Caleigh Rodning posted her fourth double-double of the season and 14th of her career with a team leading 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Southwest Minnesota State struggled offensively as a unit, finishing just 29 percent from the field and just 5 of 26 (19 percent) on three point attempts.
The Golden Eagles saw four players reach double figures and were led by Emily Gruber's 19 points. Gruber also collected eight boards while Isieoma Odor had 10 rebounds but it was SMSU who finished the night with a 49-41 rebounding advantage.
The Mustangs had a slow shooting night to open the game going nearly four minutes without a bucket to begin the night.
SMSU finished the first quarter just 2 of 15 (13 percent) from the floor as a team but went a perfect 5 of 5 at the free throw line and trailed the Golden Eagles by just four after ten minutes of action.
The Mustangs picked up the offense early in the second but were still unable to keep up with the Golden Eagles' as Minnesota Crookston edged out a 14-8 first half advantage in points in the paint.
The Mustangs were able to keep the first half close thanks to a team high 11 points and eight boards from
Caleigh Rodning.
Minnesota Crookston went 14 of 35 (40 percent) from the field in the first half and went into the break with a 32-25 advantage.
SMSU outscored Minnesota Crookston 26-19 and went 9 of 20 (45 percent) shooting in the third quarter to even the game heading into the final frame.
The Golden Eagles hit back-to-back, unanswered treys to begin the fourth quarter, which SMSU was never able to overcome.
The Mustangs went just 3 of 16 (19 percent) from the floor in the fourth and despite turning the ball over just 13 times and holding an 18-11 advantage in second chance points, SMSU suffered its ninth conference loss of the season.
Southwest Minnesota State will face Bemidji State on Saturday evening beginning at 5 p.m.
