Box Score
SPEARFISH, S.D.: The Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs held an eight point lead with just a minute remaining in the game but Black Hills State hit two-three pointers putting them within two points of the Mustangs. SMSU, however, was able to hold on for a 61-58 victory on Monday evening in Spearfish, S.D.
SMSU gives BHSU its first loss of the season as they fall to 6-1 overall and SMSU improves to 2-0 on the season.
Sophomore Megan Stadler went to the free-throw line with 8.5 seconds remaining and missed her free-throw but SMSU's Liz Grider pulled down the offensive board and then was fouled. She went to the line and hit the first free-throw putting SMSU up 61-58. She had a chance to seal the victory for the Mustangs but missed the second giving the Yellowjackets one last chance at a shot.
Grider led the Mustangs with a career-high 18 points. Grider was 7-for-12 from the field and was 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. Heidi Kimmes also scored in double-digits for Southwest adding 10 points as she was 5-for-7 from the field. Sara Leidall chipped in 8 points and had a team-high five rebounds.
Stadler had a career-high and team-high seven assists for the Mustangs while also leading the team with two steals.
The Mustangs committed 18 turnovers in the game while forcing Black Hills State to have 12. The Yellowjackets shot 31.6 percent from the field in the game, while MSU shot 45.3 percent from the field (24-53) and made 5-of-15 from three point range for a 33.3 pecentage. The Mustangs shot only 53.3 percent from the free-throw line as they went 8-for-15.
SMSU will be back in action this weekend hosting the Hardee's/Coca Cola Classic in Marshall, Minn. SMSU will face Mayville State on Friday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. and then take on Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.