MANKATO – The Southwest Minnesota State women’s basketball team was unable remain perfect on Saturday afternoon losing 68-61 to Minnesota State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at the Taylor Center.

SMSU (5-1, 3-1 NSIC) was led by Meleah Reinhart with 22 points, with teammate Jenna Borchers adding 12 points. Abuk Akoi had a solid game recording 11 points, 11 rebounds, and tied a school record with seven blocked shots. It’s the third time in her career that she has recorded seven blocked shots in a game.

SMSU finished the game shooting 36.1 percent (22 of 61) from the field, including 9 of 29 from the 3-point range. MSU (4-4, 3-3 NSIC) closed the night shooting 35.2 percent (25 of 71) with three 3-pointers

SMSU committed a season high 26 turnovers, leading to a 20-7 points off turnover scoring advantage for MSU.

MSU held a 19-13 lead after one quarter of play, before SMSU rallied and tied the score at 23 with six minutes left in the first half following a 3-pointer by Borchers. MSU would regain the lead and eventually build a 36-31 advantage into halftime.

The Mavericks would extend the margin to 47-37 late in the third quarter before taking a 52-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

MSU pushed the lead to 56-44, before SMSU made one last push, scoring seven straight points to cut the deficit to 56-51 after a lay-up by Akoi with 7:29 remaining. However, MSU answered right back scoring seven straight points of its own, holding SMSU scoreless for five and a half minutes, to seal the victory.

MSU was led by Tayla Stuttley’s 18 points.

Southwest Minnesota State will be back in action at the R/A Facility next Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. taking on Concordia-St. Paul.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications