MARSHALL, Minn. – For the fourth time this season, the Northern State women's basketball team overcame a halftime deficit to claim a win.  This time, the victim was Southwest Minnesota State as the Wolves topped the Mustangs 63-60 at the RA Facility in Marshall, Minn.  Northern improves to 3-0 in NSIC play and 6-2 overall, while SMSU falls to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in league play.

 

The Mustangs led 32-28 going into the half after shooting 44.8% from the field (13-29) and hitting four three-pointers.  Northern was kept to 38.5% shooting (10-26) and turned the ball over seven times.  The Wolves put together a nine point run with buckets from four separate players to take a 22-15 lead with eight minutes to play in the half.  The Mustangs finished the half 17-6 run to claim the lead.

 

The Wolves heated things up in the second half, taking back the lead and quickly extending the scoring margin to double digits.  The Wolves banged the boards and hit nine of their first 15 shots as they went up 50-38 at the 11 minute mark.  Four of these shots came from NSU guards from beyond the arc.

 

The Wolves needed all of these points as Southwest Minnesota State responded with three-point shooting of their own, closing the gap to 50-49 with 11 straight points.  The Wolves were hampered by SMSU full court pressure and went scoreless for five minutes.  A Noelle Hall jumper got them back on the scoreboard and the Wolves hung tight for the win.

 

Northern had three players chip in with double figures against the Mustangs.  Hall led the pack with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals.  Jaclyn Arns had 12 points and Jessica Deinert added 11.  The Wolves shot 41.8% from the field (23-55) and out-rebounded SMSU 36-32.

 

Heidi Kimmes paced the Mustangs with a career high 19 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field.  Kimmes also added three blocked shots on the night.  Liz Grider had 17 points, hitting four three-pointers and snatching three steals.  The Mustangs wound up with a 39.3% shooting average (22-56).

 

Northern heads to Wayne, America for a 6:00 p.m. meeting with the Wildcats tomorrow night.  With a win tonight over the University of Mary, Wayne State is 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the league.