Photo by Samantha Davis: Southwest Minnesota State University junior guard Brynn Busse (left) dribbles the ball up the court in the first quarter against Minnesota State University Friday afternoon in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game in Marshall.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State womens basketball team (5-6, 3-2 NSIC) was defeated Friday afternoon by the No. 2 ranked Minnesota State Mavericks (12-0, 6-0 NSIC) by a score of 94-49.

The Mustangs were led by Audrey Swanson with 11 points, shooting 4-8 from the field and 2-3 from 3-point range, and eight rebounds in the respective categories. Kylan Gerads and Maddie Thorfinnson added six points, and Natalie Nielsen grabbed five boards.

As a team the Mustangs shot 43 percent from field goals (18-42), 40% from downtown (6-15), and 7 for 9 from the charity stripe. The Mavericks consistent full-court press forced SMSU to commit 51 turnovers, with the Mustangs forcing 18 turnovers of their own, while the Mavericks out rebounded the Mustangs 37-33. MSU was led by Natalie Bremer with 20 points and seven steals.

The Mavericks put the pressure on early, forcing nine Mustangs turnovers in the first five minutes of the game, and ending the first quarter on top 21-11. Despite outrebounding the Mavericks 10-8 in the second quarter, and the Mustangs shooting 46% from the field, the turnovers persisted for SMSU, ending the first half with 26, and down 43-21 at the half.

The second half was much of the same, with the Mavericks not backing down, holding the Mustangs to 44% shooting in the third period and shooting 63% on their own. In the final 10 minutes, the Mustangs held the Mavericks to 39% shooting from the field and shooting 60 percent from 3-point range. By the end of the game, Mavericks lead extended to 45, defeating the Mustangs 94-49.

The Mustangs are back in the R/A Facility today, facing St. Cloud State (4-7, 1-5 NSIC) at 4 p.m., in the final game of the 2025 calendar year. More information can be found at smsumustangs.com/sports/womens-basketball.