MARSHALL, Minn. – The Sioux Falls Cougars defeated the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs women's basketball team 69-61 behind a first quarter that saw them outscore the Mustangs 24-4 on Sunday afternoon in the R/A facility.
 
SMSU outscored Sioux Falls in each of the final three quarters, but the 20-point deficit would be too much to overcome. The Mustangs ended the night shooting 38.6 percent (22 of 57), but would commit 21 turnovers, including 12 in the first quarter to suffer their third consecutive loss. USF shot 45 percent (27 of 60) from the field and 42.9 percent (6 of 14) from behind the arc. 
 
Sadie Stelter led SMSU in points (15), rebounds (9) and assists (5) in the setback. Abuk Akoi would be the only other Mustang to finish in double figures, scoring 14 points while adding five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Meleah Reinhart would lead the team defensively with three steals and five rebounds while adding nine points. 
 
USF was led by Megan Fannin, who scored a game-high 19 points, and Krystal Carlson, whose seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks were all team-highs, and her 14 points was good for second on the team. 
 
The first quarter was all Cougars, as USF outshot SMSU 60 percent (9 of 15) to 12.5 percent (1 of 8), outscored SMSU 15-2 off turnovers, and 10-2 in the paint. 
 
The Mustangs would score the first four points of the second quarter, cutting the Cougar lead to 24-8 with 6:17 left in the first half. A USF three-pointer would be answered by an Erin Baxter three, but USF would outscore SMSU 13-12 in the final 5+ minutes to take a 40-23 lead into the break. 
 
Nine of the first 11 second half points would go to the Cougars, growing their lead to a game-high 24 with 6:04 to go in the quarter, 49-25. The Mustangs would respond with a 14-4 run to chip away at the USF lead, bring the game to 53-39 with 1:27 to go in the quarter. Each team would score a bucket in the final 1:27 to head into the fourth quarter with USF leading 55-41.
 
Akoi would open the scoring with a three pointer, while Stelter completed an and-one to open the final frame on a 6-0 run, narrowing the USF lead to 55-47. USF would answer a 7-2 run to build their lead back up to 62-49.
 
Sam Wall would drill a three-pointer to end the USF run, while another Stelter and-one would bring SMSU back within seven, 62-55. USF would connect on one of two free throws, but Stelter would come down the court and nail a three to trail 63-58. 
 
Following an SMSU timeout with 2:02 to go in the game, USF would make a layup and connect on one of two free throws to lead 66-58. Jenna Borchers would make her first three of the night with 43 seconds to go to trail 66-61. 
Borchers would come up big defensively, grabbing a steal off an inbound pass with 29 seconds to go, but SMSU would miss a three at the other end, ending their comeback hopes. USF would go on to make three free throws in the final 20 seconds to secure the victory. 
 
Southwest Minnesota State continues home action next Friday and Saturday facing Minot State and UMary. Friday's game versus MSU begins at 7:30 p.m.