Southwest Minnesota State 77 Wayne State 60

            Southwest Minnesota State made 12 3-pointers and snapped a 21-game losing skid (dating back to February, 2009) to Wayne State College in defeating the Wildcats Friday evening 77-60 in a Northern Sun Conference South Division women's basketball game played at the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minnesota.  The Wildcats fall to 16-11 on the season and 11-10 in the NSIC while the Mustangs improve to 15-11 and 10-11 in NSIC games.  It marked the first time since February 25, 2009 (67-62 in Wayne) that SMSU beat WSC in women's basketball.
            The Wildcats led much of the first quarter until a scoring surge late gave the Mustangs the lead for good.
            WSC held early leads of 5-0 and 10-5 and was still in front 13-10 when the Mustangs ended the quarter scoring seven of the last eight points for a 17-14 lead.
            After SMSU took a 23-14 lead at the 8:08 mark of the second quarter, WSC closed within five points at 23-18 following baskets from Brittany Bongartz and Erin Norling. 
            But the Mustangs separated themselves from the Wildcats with a 16-4 scoring run to take a 39-22 lead before finishing the first half with a 39-29 lead at intermission.
            SMSU built a pair of 11-point leads early in the third quarter with the Wildcats closing within six at 44-38 following a Josey Ryan layup with 7:40 to play.
            The Mustangs closed the quarter with a 13-point lead at 61-48 and SMSU outscored WSC 16-12 in the fourth quarter to maintain a double digit lead with the Mustangs ending the long losing streak to the Wildcats with a 77-60 win.
            Norling led Wayne State in scoring with 18 points.  Halley Busse ended with 13 points while Bongartz and Ryan each chipped in 10 points.
            Wayne State shot just 36.5 percent from the field making 23 of 63 shots.  The 'Cats were just 3 for 13 from the 3-point line and 11 of 17 at the charity stripe.
            Jenna Borchers paced Southwest Minnesota State with a game-high 22 points.  Abuk Akoi and Meleah Reinhart each poured in 12 points with Sadie Stelter adding 11.
            SMSU was 25 of 57 from the field for 43.9 percent, including 12 for 27 from the 3-point line.  The Mustangs were 15-20 at the free throw line.
            WSC held a slim 39-37 edge in rebounding over the Mustangs thanks to nine boards from Norling and eight by Ryan.  Busse led WSC in assists with three while Ryan had two steals and Bongartz two blocks.
            WSC will close out the regular season playing at #16 Sioux Falls Saturday at 3:30 p.m.