Photo by Dwayne Black: Southwest Minnesota State University sophomore forward Kylan Gerads (right) looks to drive in the paint against against St. Cloud State in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game on Saturday in Marshall at the R/A Facility. The Mustangs defeated the Huskies 75-64.

MARSHALL — Natalie Neilsen and Kylan Gerads both logged a double-double to lead the Southwest Minnesota State University womens basketball team back into the win column with a 75-64 victory over St. Cloud State Saturday afternoon. Nicole Maenke also had a game-high 26 points behind four 3-pointers.

Nielsen finished the day with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Gerads tabbed an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double. Her 13 boards were a game-high.

The Mustangs struggled with turnovers, giving up 22 to the Huskies’ 15, but shot efficiently all over the court to surge ahead. SMSU shot 47% from the field, 25% from deep and went 16 for 19 at the charity stripe, and held SCSU to just 36% field-goal shooting, 18% from the 3, at 65% at the line.

SMSU and SCSU went basket-for-basket in the opening quarter until the Mustangs broke away to a 15-9 lead with an Audrey Swanson layup and free throw, and a putback from Nielsen to end the quarter.

The Huskies took an 18-17 lead in the first minutes of the second quarter, as the two continued to trade points before halftime.

Nielsen went on a 5-0 run herself to end the half with a layup, free throw and tip-in to give SMSU a one-possession lead going into the locker room, 28-26.

The Mustangs had a strong rebounding presence, bringing down 45 boards to SCSU’s 31, primarily on the defensive glass with 31.

Although the Huskies had 20 points off turnovers and 22 fast break points, SMSU made a difference with its 42 paint points and 17 second-chance points. The game saw seven lead changes.

Swanson was the fourth Mustangs to finish the game in double figures with 12, along with her eight rebounds and team-high four steals.

Maenke sank a 3-pointer to give SMSU a 33-28 lead to open the third quarter, which grew to 41-34 following another Maenke 3 and pair of free throws from Gerads.

The Mustangs kept control, expanding to a double-digit lead 47-34 edge, and didn’t allow the Huskies to avenge on a comeback. SMSU finished the game off with two free throws each from Maenke and Maddie Thorfinnson.

As of Tuesday, SMSU sits fourth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South standings at 6-6 overall and 4-3 in league play. The undefeated Minnesota State Mavericks maintain the top of the standings at 13-0, 7-0 in conference.

The Mustangs will next host Sioux Falls (8-4, 5-2) on Jan. 3 in the R/A Facility at 4 p.m. SMSU and Sioux Falls met once this season already on Nov. 25, with the Cougars coming away with a 92-80 victory.