Box Score

HAYS, Kan. The Southwest Minnesota state women's basketball team dropped the season opener against Fort Hays State, 91-56 in the MIAA/NSIC Challenge on Friday night at the Gross Memorial Coliseum.
 
Fort Hays State had four players reach double figures to top the Mustangs despite a team-high from Caleigh Rodning with 19 points and five rebounds and 18 points from sophomore Sadie Stelter.
 
SMSU shot 29 percent (18 of 61) with a 12-23 rebounding margin as FHSU shot 40 percent (28 of 70) from the field and 12-32 on the boards.
 
The Mustangs recorded 19 turnovers which FHSU turned into 20 points.

FHSU opened the first quarter with an 8-0 run before Rodning connected for a three from freshman Jenna Borchers.
 
The Mustangs were able to the tie game at 17-17 in the first quarter with a 3-pointer from Sarah Buysse from Rodning, but FHSU regained the lead with a 3-pointer and two field goals to end the first quarter with a 22-17 advantage.
 
FHSU was able to convert nine points off turnovers to push their lead to 47-32 going into the half.
 
Rodning came out in the third quarter to score 11 of her 18 points including being perfect at the line going 2-2.
 
The Mustangs were outscored in the fourth quarter 26 to five as FHSU took the victory.
 
FHSU, ranked 12 in WBCA Coaches Poll and No. 22 in D2SIDA Media poll in was led by Kacey Kennett with 20 points and nine rebounds and Tatyana Legette earned a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. FHSU's bench outscored the Mustangs' bench 30 to 6.

Southwest Minnesota State concludes its MIAA/NSIC Challenge against Missouri Western State at 5:30 p.m.