ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State women’s basketball team (11-13, 8-10 NSIC) fell to Northern State (9-15, 6-12 NSIC) 56-51 on Saturday night in Wachs Arena, after the Wolves went 6 of 7 and ended the game on a 16-4 run in the final six minutes to secure the victory and end a seven-game losing streak.

SMSU shot 29 percent from the field and 19 percent from the 3-point line while NSU shot 37 percent from the field and 33 percent from the 3-point line.

SMSU was led in scoring by Caleigh Rodning with 17 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Rodning went 9 of 11 from the free-throw line. Rodning is 13 points shy of reaching 1,000 career points.

SMSU finished the first quarter up 12-10 after Abuk Akoi put SMSU up with a jumper with two seconds remaining. The teams traded for the lead at the start of the second quarter before the Mustangs went up with a jumper from Akoi and a 3-pointer from Meleah Reinhart. SMSU would keep the lead to finish the half up 28-24.

SMSU maintained that lead to head into the final quarter up, 40-38.

SMSU held the lead with 3:33 to go before a 12-2 run in the final four minutes.

NSU was led in scoring by Lexi Wadsworth with 14 points and Brianna Kusler grabbed 12 rebounds.

Southwest Minnesota State returns home next weekend to face Upper Iowa on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Winona State on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications