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SMSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Mustangs notch first win of season to start Ramada Classic

SMSU’s Rodning nets career-high 34 points in 91-83 victory over University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Photo by Jake Przytarski SMSU’s Caleigh Rodning puts up a shot between a pair of University of Wisconsin-Parkside defenders during their game on Friday. The Mustangs defeated the Rangers 91-83.

MARSHALL – In search of their first taste of victory and a chance to provide coach Tom Webb with his 100th win at the Division II level, the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs shook off a slow offensive start and came alive in the second half with an explosive 53-point showing led by Caleigh Rodning to edge the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers by a final score of 91-83.

The offensive shootout that was to come later on in the game was substituted in the first half by a strong defensive showing with the Mustangs exectuing a full-court press to make the Rangers work to get the ball up the floor and work for every shot. Forced to the outside, the Rangers attempted 19 3-point shots in the first half – making only four of them.

On the offensive side of the floor, the Mustangs were led early by Sadie Stelter and Rodning, who got on the board in the opening minutes with big-time shots that put SMSU ahead 7-5. Moving to the outside, Erin Baxter made her presence felt with a 3-point shot that gave the Mustangs the lead once more at 22-21.

Continuing to trade baskets, both teams refused to give an inch all the way through to the end of the first half after exchanging leads six times and tying four times in the first 20 minutes of play. At the end of the half, the Mustangs trailed the Rangers 38-35.

Heating up and finding their rhythm offensively, the Mustangs gave the crowd plenty to cheer about when play continued in the second half with a strong offensive showing that began with a 3-pointer from Meleah Reinhart to give SMSU the lead at 41-38. Refusing to back down, the Rangers began to hit their stride offensively and kept pace with the surging Mustangs throughout the half.

Trailing 48-47 midway through the third quarter, Rodning once again took hold of the game and knocked down a deep 3-point shot to give the Mustangs the lead once more. Showing her versatility, Rodning dominated on the inside as well with hard-fought rebounds and second-chance shots that were crucial down the stretch with the game still neck and neck.

Beginning the fourth quarter with a one-point deficit at 65-64, the Mustangs continued to push the pace and found found success early with Reinhart and Rodning controlling the boards and fighting for second chance opportunities. Playing stingy defense, Sarah Buysse provided a momentum shifting steal and layup that put the Mustangs ahead by seven points early in the fourth quarter.

With the clock winding down and the game still up for grabs with the Mustangs holding onto a one-point lead at 81-80, Stelter and Rodning came through once again with back-to-back baskets that made it a two-possession game with only a minute and a half left to play. Drawing fouls and making clutch free throws, Rodning pushed the lead to 88-80 and all but iced the game as the Mustangs held on to win 91-83.

Leading the way for the Mustangs, Rodning finished with 34 points and 16 boards for a double-double. Sara Teske would also finish with a double-double netting 11 points and 13 rebounds. Stelter would finish the night with 12 points and two assists while Sarah Buysse totaled 11 points in the win.

The Mustangs will be back in action today when they take on William Jewell in the second game of the Ramada Classic at 4 p.m.

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