MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State women's basketball team (11-7, 9-4 NSIC) earned a hard-fought victory Friday night over the Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons 61-53 (9-8, 6-7 NSIC). That win marks the fifth straight win in the R/A Facility for SMSU.
Natalie Nielsen led the way for SMSU with 20 points, her second game of 20 or more this season, shooting 9-11 from the field with eight rebounds.
Kylan Gerads added 14 of her own, tying Nielsen with eight rebounds.
Audrey Swanson scored 13 points, leading the team in steals with three.
As a team the Mustangs shot 41 percent from the floor (23-56), 29 percent from 3-pointers (8-27) and 7-9 from the charity stripe. SMSU outrebounded the Dragons 33-32, but the Mustangs committed 15 turnovers as compared to MSUM's 14. The Dragons, led in scoring by Grace Massaquoi and Terryn Johnson with 11, shot 40 percent from the field and 23 percent from deep.
Natalie Nielsen propelled the Mustangs in the first quarter, scoring nine of the Mustangs 17 points, and shooting 4-4 from the field including her only 3-pointer of the contest. SMSU shot 53 percent in the opening 10 minutes and led the Dragons 17-11 entering the second quarter.
The Dragons fought their way back in the second quarter, shooting 40 percent from the field as compared to the Mustangs 31 percent, and going 5-7 from the charity stripe.
Audrey Swanson finished the half with 13 points for SMSU, with the Mustangs holding a 31-29 advantage.
Both teams struggle to shoot efficiently from the floor in the third quarter, with neither team shooting 40 percent or over. The Mustangs took advantage of two made 3-pointers in the quarter however, which proved the difference in scoring, as SMSU led 44-40 entering the fourth quarter.
In the final 10 minutes
Natalie Nielsen made her presence felt for SMSU, scoring eight points on 4-4 shooting in the quarter. The Mustangs as a whole shot 50 percent in the fourth quarter, taking the game 61-53.
SMSU is back in the R/A Facility tomorrow night seeking its fourth straight victory against Minnesota Crookston on 'Tropical Night' at 5 p.m. The game will be streaming live on the NSIC Network. Tickets and more information can be found at smsumustangs.com/sports/womens-basketball.
