Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s Jenna Borchers (11) pushes the ball upcourt during their game against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Friday. The Mustangs defeated the Golden Eagles 78-71.

MARSHALL – The Southwest Minnesota State women’s basketball team opened the weekend with a 78-71 victory over Minnesota Crookston on Friday night in the R/A Facility for SMSU’s second consecutive victory.

SMSU advances to 10-10 overall and 7-8 in the NSIC while UMC drops to 10-11 overall and 5-10 in the NSIC.

SMSU shot 43 percent from the field (26 of 61) and 29 percent from the 3-point line (8 of 28), while UMC shot 45 percent from the field (27 of 60) and 40 percent from the 3-point line (6-15).

Erin Baxter led the Mustangs’ in scoring with 22 points for her second time with a 20-point game this season. Meleah Reinhart added 14 points and Caleigh Rodning added 11 with eight boards.

SMSU claimed an early 10-4 lead with 6:27 remaining in the first quarter and strung together multiple runs, including a 6-0 run in the second quarter, to advance lead to finish the first half with a 41-34.

UMC went on a 7-0 run to trail only two points at 47-45 with 5:47 remaining in the third quarter.

Reinhart made both free throws coming out of a timeout to advance lead to 49-45 with 4:50 to go in the third quarter, which was followed by a 3-pointer from Rodning to go up 52-46.

SMSU held a 10-point lead with 5:01 remaining before UMC’s Paige Cornale sunk a 3-pointer to come within single-digits.

The Mustangs’ went 4 of 4 from the free-throw line as Baxter and Reinhart were perfect in the remaining minutes to secure the victory.

UMC was led by Isieoma Odor with 25 points, followed by Cornale with 14.

Southwest Minnesota State hosts Bemidji State tonight in the R/A Facility for a 4 p.m. tip-off for the annual “Hawaiian Night.”

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications