SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 22/25 Southwest Minnesota State earned its 20^th victory of the season, the programs first since the 2002-03 season, using a team-high 25 points and 12 rebounds from Bri Stoltzman and 16 points from Natalie Nielsen to defeat the University of Sioux Falls 68-62 on Saturday night inside the Stewart Center.
 
SMSU remains in a three-way tie for first place in the NSIC standings in improving to 14-2 in league play and 20-2 overall. The win was SMSU's 12^th straight.
 
SMSU, ranked second in the country in field goal pct., was limited to 41 percent shooting (26 of 63) in the game and to three 3-pointers. SMSU used strong defense to earn the win, limiting USF to 39 percent (26 of 66) shooting.
 
USF, which had won seven of its last eight entering the game, drops to 13-10 overall, 9-7 NSIC. Kami Wadsworth scored a game-high 26 points on 11 of 20 from the field to pace the Cougars.
 
Kenzie Jones came off the bench to score nine points for the Mustangs, while Peyton Blandin chipped in with seven points and six rebounds. Audrey Swanson pulled down eight rebounds, scored five points and dished out four assists to help the SMSU cause.
 
Both team struggled shooting to open the game with USF holding a 5-2 lead in the opening three-plus minutes. SMSU countered the slow start with a 12-2 run in the later stages of the opening quarter capped by a 3-pointer by Blandin to give the Mustangs a 14-7 lead with 2:16 remaining.
 
SMSU shot just 28 percent in the first 10 minutes but held a 14-12 lead after one quarter.
 
Nicole Maenke started the scoring in the second quarter with a three-point play before Natalie Nielsen and Blandin scored back-to-back field goals to push the SMSU lead to 21-14 with 6:45 left in the first half.
 
The Cougars would rally and eventually tie the game on two occasions in the final 1:17, but a Maddie Thorfinnson 3-pointer at the first half buzzer gave the Mustangs a 31-28 halftime lead.
 
SMSU shot 34 percent in the opening 20 minutes, while USF was limited to 39 percent shooting. Nielsen led the Mustangs in the first half with eight points on 4 of 6 shooting.
 
SMSU pushed the lead to 45-35 midway through the third quarter before settling for a 53-45 lead after three quarters of play.
 
The teams battled in the fourth quarter with SMSU holding a 59-51 lead with 6:13 left before USF answered to pull within 59-58 with 3:52 left.
 
SMSU would maintain a 61-60 lead with under two minutes left before Blandin hit a clutch field goal with 1:15 on the clock to give SMSU three-point lead. Following another defensive stop by the Mustangs, Stoltzman hit a layup with 31 seconds left and later added a free throw to seal the win.
 
SMSU will stay on the road to face Minnesota Duluth on Wednesday with game time slated for 7:30 p.m. in Duluth.