The Southwest Minnesota State University Mustang women’s basketball team fell to NCAA Division I University of Nebraska-Omaha 63-37 on Sunday, November 25. Poor shooting plagued the Mustangs, who shot 22 percent from the field, netting just 12 field goals. The Mustangs’ rebounding also fell short, as they pulled down just eight defensive rebounds. Overall, the Mavericks out-rebounded the Mustangs 51-33.
The Mustangs were led by Allison Nagel, who recorded 19 points. Not far behind was Bree Holleman with 10 points, followed by Hannah Beeler with four points. Annessa Roach and Val Sahr chipped in two points apiece. Leading the Mustangs in rebounding was Holleman, pulling down seven.
Shooting just 16 percent in the first half, the Mustangs made just four field goals, compared to the Mavericks’ 25. The first six minutes found the Mustangs scoreless and in an 8-0 deficit. However, a 3-pointer by Holleman cut the lead to 8-3. The Mustangs simply couldn’t muster momentum, not scoring again until there were four and a half minutes left in the first half when Val Sahr connected on a field goal. The Mustangs continued to chip away at the Mavericks, cutting their lead to 24-10 with 16 seconds remaining. The Mavericks regained control by knocking down a last-second jumper. At the half, Nebraska-Omaha held a commanding 26-10 lead.
Although the Mustangs didn’t step up to the charity stripe throughout the entire first half, their first two scoring opportunities came from that very spot to start off the second half. Holleman and Beeler earned three combined points for the Mustangs, making the score 26-13. The Mavericks quickly responded with twelve consecutive points to push their lead to 38-15. Nebraska-Omaha never looked back, taking the game 63-37.
With the loss, the Mustangs fall to an overall record of 1-4, while the Mavericks improve to 4-1.