/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php
×

SMSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Mustangs fall to Cougars in NSIC opener

MARSHALL The Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs struggled to score while the University of Sioux Falls Cougars shined as the Mustangs fell to the Cougars 75-40 in their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and home opener on Saturday.

SMSU coach Tom Webb thought there were some bright spots, but thought they didn’t stick to their gameplan.

“There were times that the young kids looked pretty good,” said Webb. “We just really sometimes panicked too much and hit the abort button and went away with the whole gameplan. You just can’t do that. You’ve got to stay with it possession by possession. When we get to that point, we’ll be okay.”

The Mustangs were just 13 of 44 (29.5 percent) from the field while the Cougars were 29 of 62 (46.8 percent) from the field and drained 12 3-pointers in the game to help them gain an early lead and never look back.

The Mustangs got on the board first with two made free throws by sophomore Sarah Buysse. However, it was SMSU’s only lead of the night as USF took the lead for good on a layup by forward Jacey Huinker, making it 4-2 USF. The Cougars held a 24-14 lead after the first quarter, and held the Mustangs to just five points in the second quarter to take a 39-19 lead into halftime.

The Mustangs struggled to score once again in the third quarter, as they were held to just eight points compared to 21 for the Cougars.

The fourth quarter was the closest quarter of the game as the Mustangs were just outscored by two points.

Webb thought they played well in the final quarter, but thought that it was too little too late.

“The last quarter, we functioned, but at that point it was too late,” said Webb. “We have to finish at the rim. We had a lot of opportunities from three feet. We’ve got to make more three-footers.

“The biggest thing is that we have to understand how we play and make people adjust to us,” added Webb. “Tonight we certainly didn’t do that.”

Sarah Buysse led the Mustangs with 14 points while freshman Caleigh Rodning tallied 12 points. Taylor Holicky pulled in 10 rebounds while Taylor Silva had four assists.

Webb hopes they can learn from the game moving forward.

“Hopefully, the biggest thing is that we’ll decide as a collective group to battle consistently every day,” said Webb. “We have to just understand that this feeling doesn’t feel good at all to any of us. How do you change that? You change that by showing up on Monday and working hard.”

SMSU (0-5, 0-1 NSIC) returns to action Friday when they travel to face Upper Iowa.

USF 75, SMSU 40

USF24 15 21 15 75

SMSU14 5 8 13 40

SMSU STATISTICS

SCORING: S. Buysse 3-12, 8-11, 14; Rodning 4-7, 4-5, 12; Connell 3-5, 0-0, 7; E. Buysse 1-3, 0-0, 3; Silva 1-3, 0-0, 2; Holicky 1-4, 0-2, 2. TOTALS: 13-44 (29.5%), 12-18 (66.7%), 40.

3-POINT FIELD GOALS: 2 (Connell 1, E. Buysse 1).

REBOUNDS: 28 (Holicky 10, Hedlund 5, Rodning 3, S. Buysse 2).

ASSISTS: 6 (Silva 4, Rodning 1, Spicer 1).

STEALS: 4 (S. Buysse 1, Connell 1, Holicky 1, E. Buysse 1).

BLOCKS: None.

FOULS: 9 (no foul out).

TURNOVERS: 20.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today