Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. – After trailing for a majority of the game, the Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball rallied to defeat the University of Mary, 64-62, on Saturday night in the R/A Facility.
 
Tonight's victory was SMSU's first victory this season despite trailing at the half.
 
SMSU (8-9, 5-7 NSIC) shot 40 percent from the field, including only 17 percent from the three-point line while UMary (10-5, 8-4 NSIC) shot 46 percent from the field and 25 percent from the three-point line.
 
Meleah Reinhart led the Mustangs in scoring for the third consecutive game with 14 points while Abuk Akoi added 12. Erin Baxter grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and Caleigh Rodning grabbed six.
 
UMary was led by Cassie Askvig with 29 points and NSIC's Preseason North Division Player of the Year, Gabbie Bohl added a double-double 19 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Marauders opened the game with a 9-0 lead which they would turn into a 15-point lead at 2:19 to go in the first quarter, up 21-6. UMary would maintain the lead all the way until 3:45 to go in the third quarter when Abuk Akoi went in the paint for a layup. Sarah Buysse earned the Mustangs their first lead of the game, 43-41, at 3:32 remaining in the third quarter.
 
UMary's Gabbie Bohl tied the game to open the fourth quarter before S. Buysse went to the paint to earn the Mustangs' the lead.
 
SMSU held a four-point lead with one minute remaining, despite UMary's many chances to score within that final minute. Jenna Borchers fouled UMarys higher-scorer, Asvik, beyond the arc. Asvik went to the line to go 3 for 3 to come within one point with ten seconds remaining. With eight seconds left, Roding scored a two-pointer to secure the Mustangs' 64-62 victory.
 
Southwest Minnesota State (8-9, 5-7 NSIC) travels to Winona State on Friday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off and Upper Iowa on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.