SMSU knocks off Northern State in NSIC quarterfinal

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (SMSU) – The Southwest Minnesota State University women’s basketball team brought the energy on Sunday afternoon claiming an 85-76 win over the No. 4 seed Northern State in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals inside the Sanford Pentagon.

SMSU moves to 19-11 overall and advances to the NSIC Tournament semifinals for the second consecutive season. NSU drops to 20-9 overall.

Bri Stoltzman led the Mustangs with 30 points on 9 of 13 shooting with four rebounds and a team-high six assists. It marks the third 30-point game of the season for the junior guard. Madison Gehloff followed behind chipping in 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting with a team-high nine rebounds. Hannah Parsley and Sam Wall combined for 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

Madelyn Bragg poured in 32 points on 10 of 20 shooting for Northern State, while pulling down eight rebounds.

The Mustangs closed the game shooting 50 percent from the field (28 of 56) including 10 makes from beyond the arc. NSU shot 42 percent in the game (28 of 67) including 1 of 10 from the 3-point line.

Northern State started the scoring and was quickly followed by two SMSU buckets. The teams continued to trade points through the first half of the first quarter, eventually settling the score at 12-11 in favor of the Wolves at the media timeout. After the media timeout, Hannah Parsley knocked down a pair of free throws before Sam Wall drained a three to put the Mustangs ahead with just over three minutes to go in the quarter.

After the Wall three, NSU stormed back with three straight scoring possessions. SMSU countered in the final minute and a half using a pair of free throws and a jumper from Bri Stoltzman , and a driving layup from Madison Gehloff to hold the 24-22 lead at the end of one.

Parsley drove through the lane and got a layup to kick off the second quarter, which was quickly followed by a layup and jump shot from NSU. The Mustangs and Wolves battled for the following minutes before the Mustangs sparked a 12-6 run that saw the Mustangs make six of their nine shots to bring the score to 38-32 in favor of SMSU with just over four minutes left in the half. SMSU controlled the final minutes of the half, applying pressure through the remainder of the second quarter to lead 45-37 midway through the game.

Sam Wall drained a three to get the Mustangs going in the second half. The Mustangs continued to play with a steady pace, answering every point scored by the Wolves over the next five minutes. NSU was held scoreless for nearly four minutes before flipping the game completely and taking over with a 9-2 run to close the game within four points. After a made free-throw for the Wolves, Bri Stoltzman took the ball coast-to-coast and made a nifty move to get a layup to go at the buzzer.

The first two minutes of the fourth quarter were quiet, with neither team scoring until the 7:58 mark. SMSU held NSU to just 7 of 18 shooting in the fourth quarter while making 5 of 11 shots from the field and 14 of 16 free throws in the final frame. The Wolves scored only six points in the remaining minutes before Bri Stoltzman nailed the 3-point dagger to close the game out for the Mustangs.

UP NEXT

SMSU continues its trek in the postseason tomorrow, squaring off with Minnesota State (24-5) in the NSIC Tournament semifinals at 4:30 p.m., inside the Sanford Pentagon.

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