FAYETTE, Iowa. – An early lead helped push the Southwest Minnesota State women’s basketball team over Upper Iowa 89-57 on Saturday afternoon in the Dorman Gymnasium.

SMSU advances to 9-10 overall and 6-8 in the NSIC while UIU drops to 3-19 overall and 0-14 in the conference.

SMSU shot 44 percent from the field and 37 percent from the 3-point line while IOI shot 41 percent from the field and 17 percent from the 3-point line.

Meleah Reinhart led the Mustangs in scoring with 18 points, including going 4 of 4 from the 3-point line. Sadie Stelteradded 16 points and Abuk Akoi added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

This was Reinhart’s fifth consecutive game leading the Mustangs in scoring.

SMSU opened the first period shooting 59 percent from the field and 57 percent from the 3-point line. The Mustangs scored the first 12 points of the game until 6:20 to go in the first quarter.

Ten of Reinhart’s 18 points came in the first quarter alone.

The Mustangs held the lead for the duration of the game, credited to the efforts of 12 Mustangs who added points to the victory.

The Mustangs gained their largest lead of the night in the fourth quarter with a 36-point lead with 7:26 to go.

UIU was led by Bekka Pierson with 19 points and Emma Gaber who added 13.

Southwest Minnesota State returns home next weekend to face Minnesota Crookston on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. and Bemidji State at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications