Photo by Samantha Davis: Southwest Minnesota State University forward Natalie Nielsen (34) guards an Augsburg guard during a non-conference womens basketball game at the R/A Facility in Marshall on Nov. 16, 2024. Nielsen knocked down a pair of free throws in the final second of the Mustangs’ game against Tampa (Fla.) on Saturday, giving the Mustangs a 63-62 win in Denton, Texas.

DENTON, Texas — Junior forward Natalie Nielsen’s last-second free throws lifted the No. 18 Southwest Minnesota State University womens basketball team a 63-62 win over No. 22 Tampa on Saturday in Denton, Texas, on the second day of the Division II Tip-Off Classic weekend tournament.

Holding just a 1-point halftime edge, 38-37, the game continued to trade possessions with either team unable to break a large lead up to a 58-58 tie with 3:09 left to play.

Following a Tampa free throw, Nicole Maenke sank a 3-pointer with 23 seconds left to put the Mustangs ahead 61-59.

Tampa however quickly returned the favor with an Amy Thompson 3-pointer with eight seconds on the clock, taking back a 62-61 lead as SMSU called a final timeout.

Out of the reset, Nielsen got the ball on a fastbreak and was fouled going up to the basket to get to the line with just enough game left at one second, to send her to the line.

With the game on the line, Nielsen showed up big and put away both free throws to give SMSU the win as time expired right away upon Tampa’s inbound.

Although Tampa overall controlled the Mustangs with points in the paint 30-18, the Mustangs returned the favor beyond the arc with 14 3-pointers while holding Tampa to four.

Another difference-maker in the game in SMSU’s favor was its 16 offensive boards to Tampa’s three, allowing more second-chance opportunities.

Audrey Swanson led SMSU with a 13-point, 10-rebound double double, as Kylan Gerads tallied a team-high 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Nicole Maenke followed with 16 points, as Nielsen added another 10 to her nine rebounds.

The Mustangs had 18 assists on their 22 made field goals, led by Swanson’s seven.

Swanson, Gerads and Maenke all caught the hot-hand from the perimeter, each sinking four 3-pointers.

Both teams had struggles with turnovers, with Tampa committing 10 to SMSU’s eight.

Giorgia Palmieri finished with 19 points to lead Tampa, as did Alanis Diaz with seven rebounds.

SMSU (1-1) will next return to the court in Edmond, Oklahoma, to take on Central Oklahoma (0-0) on Friday at the Hamilton Field House at 7 p.m. The Mustangs will then take on Washburn, Kansas (0-0), on Saturday with a 1 p.m. tipoff.

The Mustangs’ home opener is slated for Nov. 30 when they host Northern State in the R/A Facility at 1 p.m.