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SMSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: SMSU’s comeback falls short against the Warriors

Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s Sarah Buysse (21) drives around Winona State’s Tara Roelofs (14) in the second half Friday.

MARSHALL – The Southwest Minnesota State University women’s basketball team found their first home win of the season within their sights against the No. 14 team in the nation in the Winona State University Warriors.

That sight drifted further away in the closing minutes, as the Mustangs fell to the Warriors 74-65 Friday night.

SMSU coach Tom Webb was pleased with his team’s effort against one of the better teams in the NSIC conference.

“They showed heart for 40 minutes and played hard,” said Webb. “You’ve got to love their effort and this team’s going to give you everything they have. They’ve grown more than any team I’ve ever seen; all I can say is that if they keep working, they’ll break in the door.”

The Warriors got things started in the first quarter with a 9-5 run to open the game. The Mustangs then brought it to one on a 3-pointer by Taylor Holicky with five minutes left in the opening frame, but a 12-4 answer by the Warriors made it 21-12 in favor of the purple and black jerseys. WSU led 23-17 at the end of one.

In the second quarter, the Warriors continued their first quarter run, this time going on a 7-4 spurt to make it 30-21. The Mustangs battled back, however, cutting the deficit to two at 30-28 with three minutes left in the first half. WSU then used a little run at the end of the half to go up 38-32 at the break.

In the third quarter, Winona State increased its lead to double digits, going up 11 before later extending the advantage to as many as 19 thanks to a 21-8 run.

The fourth quarter saw a flurry of defensive stops from the Mustangs, which ultimately led to transition baskets on the other end for SMSU. The stifling defense brought the Mustangs back to within two, 67-65, with a little over two minutes remaining.

The Warriors once again answered back, this time on a 3-pointer from Jenny Tuttle to silence the Mustang run and made it a five-point game in the process. Late free throws in the closing seconds sealed the victory for the Warriors.

Webb said he was pleased with his team’s defensive pressure in the fourth quarter to bring the deficit within reach.

“We subbed and attacked with the full-court pressure. We flew around late in the game, which means we’re still fresh,” said Webb. “Tomorrow’s going to be a gut check for us and see how bad we really want it.”

Caleigh Rodning led the way for the Mustangs with 16 points while Sarah Buysse and Taylor Holicky added 15 and 11 points, respectively while Lauren Hedlund rounded out the double figure scoring with 13.

Hedlund also recorded a career-high in rebounds with 18 as SMSU corralled 46 rebounds as a team, including 19 on the offensive end.

Rodning said their key on the offensive end was their ability to attack the paint and drive to the rim.

“Getting inside and finishing around the basket worked well for us,” said Rodning. “We were able to make tough shots and free throws down the stretch but we couldn’t stop them defensively.”

SMSU (1-12 overall, 1-8 NSIC) will try and earn its first home win today against Upper Iowa University, the lone team the Mustangs have earned a victory against this season.

Webb said their biggest takeaway is maintaining a high level of confidence.

“We’re capable of winning any game, and that’s what we need to understand. Now it’s at the point where they have to believe it. It’s enough for me to say it and they have to look in the mirror and see that. Once that happens, we’ll be in great shape.”

WSU        23 15 21 15 – 74

SMSU        17 15 12 21 – 65

SCORING: SMSU 24-57, 42.1 percent (Rodning 7-11 2-2 16; Buysse 4-10 6-8 15; Hedlund 5-11 3-4 13; Holicky 4-12 1-2 11; Spicer 2-5 0-0 6; Silva 1-3 0-0 2; Bohler 1-4 0-0 2).

3-POINT FG: SMSU 5-14, 35.7 percent (Spicer, Holicky 2; Buysse 1).

REBOUNDS: SMSU 46 (Hedlund 18; Holicky 11; Buysse 5; Rodning 4; Silva, Connell 2; Bohler 1).

ASSISTS: SMSU 11 (Silva 5; Buysse, Rodning 2; Spicer, Holicky 1).

STEALS: SMSU 4 (Holicky 2; Hedlund, Buysse 1).

BLOCKS: SMSU 1 (Holicky).

FOULS: SMSU 13.

TURNOVERS: SMSU 20.

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