ABERDEEN, S.D. - Northern State's women's basketball team hung with Bemidji State through nearly the entire contest, but the Beavers maintained a lead for the last 30 minutes of the game and took a 77-65 win.  Northern falls to 7-9 overall and 3-4 in the NSIC, while Bemidji State improves to 8-6 overall and 4-2 in league play.  The Wolves take on Minnesota, Crookston on Saturday evening.

Northern received an exceptional performance from Noelle Hall, who scored 29 of the team's 65 points.  This is the second highest scoring mark for Hall, who leads the conference in scoring.  Jaclyn Arns added 12 points, but the Beavers' balanced attack out-shined Northern's stars.  Bemidji's bench was responsible for 32 points in the game, with a variation of players taking their looks at the hoop.

The Wolves fell behind 10-4 early on, but they responded with a 14-4 run to lead 18-14 with nine minutes left in the first half.  Northern shared the ball and got buckets from a series of players.  This would be the largest lead for the Wolves as the Beavers took back the lead with a three-pointer and a short-range jumper just a minute later.  BSU led 26-22 after a low scoring first half.

With eight points in the first half, Hall simply came alive in the second half as the Wolves pumped the ball to their strongest scorer.  She inked 21 second half points in a remarkable performance, but by herself, could not keep up with the Beavers.  Northern trailed just 37-39 at the 13 minute mark of the second half, but Bemidji soon streaked to a nine point lead as Wolves players shot off their mark.  The Beavers worked hard on the boards to gain second looks and also keep Northern on the defensive.  They led by double figures for the final minutes of the game before taking the ultimate 77-65 decision.

Hall added six rebounds to her 29 points scored to lead the team in both categories.  In addition to her 12 points, Arns also dished out five assists and had three steals.  Jessica Deinert had eight points and four rebounds.  The Wolves shot 39.7% from the field.  They lost the rebounding battle 32-44.

Amy Lawson had an incredible night for the Beavers, tallying 18 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and four steals.  Karlee Simonson had 14 points and five rebounds, while Colleen McKay came off the bench with 12 points.  Kirsten Hengstler, also off the bench, added nine points.  The Beavers shot 44.6% from the field.