KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, SportsAugustana basketball splits at SMSU

Men's Recap

Augustana (S.D.) opened up the second half on an 18-8 run to take a 12-point advantage and would go on to defeat Southwest Minnesota State 71-61 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's basketball action on Saturday night in Marshall.

Alex Feeney led all players with 16 points while adding seven rebounds for the Vikings and was one of four players to reach double-figures for Augustana. Molly Hayes finished with 14 points on 5 of 10 shoowing while Emily Schulte and Shaunteva Ashley each finished with 11 points.

Abby Kenealy led the Mustangs scoring 13 points on 4 of 13 shooting while going 4 of 5 from the free throw line. Taylor Voss finished and Hope Bonlander each added nine points for the Mustangs.

SMSU shot 91 percent from the free throw line making a season-high 21 of 23 from the stripe. The Mustangs were 13 of 13 in the first half alone and did not miss a free throw until the seven minute mark of the second half.

The first half saw five tie scores and six lead changes. Jessie Watts tied the game at 21 hitting consecutive free throws and the Mustangs went on 7-0 run to take a 30-21 lead over the Vikings. Augustana finished the first half on an 11-0 run to take a 32-30 lead into the locker room.

The Mustangs were held to 29 percent (8 of 27) shooting in the first half while the Vikings were 11 of 31 (35 percent) including 4 of 10 from 3-point range. Watts led the Mustangs in the first half connecting on 4 of 4 from the free throw line.

Augustana got into foul trouble early in the game sending the Mustangs to the line 13 times. SMSU was 13 of 13 from the charity stripe in the half. 

Augustana's 18-8 run to start the second half helped the Vikings take a 12-point 50-38 lead with 13 minutes to play in the game. The Mustangs rebounded with a 13-6 run of their own to come within five after consecutive free throws by Watts.

Watts finished the game with a career-high six free throws while adding eight points and five boards.

SMSU forced 14 turnovers in the game leading to 16 points for the Mustangs. Augustana forced the Mustangs into 18 turnovers and was able to score 16 points in transition off the fast break.

Women's Recap

Southwest Minnesota State made a late-game lead stick and collected an 80-77 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over Augustana Saturday evening.

SMSU moves to 12-9 (11-6 NSIC), while Augustana falls to 13-8 (10-7 NSIC).

The Vikings had a chance to tie the game as time expired, but Cody Schilling's 3-point attempt rimmed out.  SMSU's Matt Zager missed the second try of a bonus opportunity with six second left to give Augustana that last possession.

Zager finished with a game-high 19 points for the Mustangs, who fell to the Vikings earlier this season in Sioux Falls.

Four from Augustana reached double figures.  Drae Murray scored 18, Schilling had 16 and Yuriy Malashenko and Cameron McCaffrey each added 10.

Augustana shot a solid 50 percent (27 of 54) from the field, but the Mustangs bettered the Vikings with a 58.8-percent (30 of 51) performance.

The Vikings held a 74-70 with 3:18 left. but the Mustangs closed the game on a 10-3 run.

Augustana did manage a season-high 11 3-pointers in the loss.

The Vikings clung to a 36-35 lead after both teams shot better than 45 percent in the opening 20 minutes.  Augustana went 14 of 40 (46.7 percent) from the floor, while SMSU went 13 of 26 (50 percent).

The Mustangs led 14-6 with 11:43 remaining before intermission.

Augustana and SMSU exchanged eight leads in the first half, but McCaffrey's mid-range jumper just before the horn gave his team the halftime advantage.

Murray led all scorers with nine points in the first half.

A tight second half saw the Vikings earn as large as a six-point lead at 69-63 with 6:44 to play, but the Mustangs' game-changing surge  in the final three minutes sunk the Vikings.

The win by SMSU moved the Mustangs out of a tie with Augustana in the conference standings.  SMSU is now sixth, while the Vikings are seventh.