BOX SCORE

ABERDEEN, S.D. - The Wolves of Northern State nearly handed fifth-ranked Concordia-St. Paul their first season loss Friday night at Wachs Arena.  2,113 fans looked on as the Wolves battled the Golden Bears in a tight game.  CSP pulled out a late 60-56 win and improves to 13-0 overall and 4-0 in the NSIC.  The Wolves are now 7-7 on the season and 3-2 in league play.  They host MSU Moorhead tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.

Northern frustrated Concordia shooters all game long, holding the Golden Bears to a season low shooting percentage of 36.4%.  This was the closest score for Concordia-St. Paul, who has out-scored it's opponents by an average of 20.2 points per game.  The Wolves had the lead for nearly the entire first half and did not give up the advantage until the 8:45 mark of the second half.  They led 29-28 at the half.

The game's decision was made in the final five minutes of the contest, as the Golden Bears hit four of their last six field goals and also sunk five free throws.  Northern led 42-34 at the 13:22 mark, but a 10-0 CSP run gave the visitors a slim advantage.  The Wolves kept pace with their opponent until the end, but the Golden Bears managed the clock well and took advantage of a late NSU turnover to seal the 60-56 win.

Jessica Deinert lit up the first half for the Wolves, sinking four three-pointers for 12 points and also grabbing four rebounds.  Jaclyn Arns led her team in the second half, creating plays and finding open teammates.  Arns finished the game with 16 points, shooting 5-of-14 from the field and hitting all six of her free throw attempts.  She also had three assists and two steals.  Noelle Hall completed a double double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.  She surpassed the 1,500 point mark of her career against CSP this evening and has 1,504 total points as a Wolf.  Northern shot 37.7% (20-52) from the field and out-rebounded the Golden Bears 38-36.

The Wolves kept CSP's leading scorer Amanda Behnke to just three field goals and eight points in the game.  Katie LaViolette had a team high 17 points, seven assists and five steals.  She also grabbed six rebounds.  Mary Schroeder finished the game with ten points.  Behnke topped all CSP players with ten rebounds.  The squad shot 36.4% (20-55) from the field and hit ten three-pointers in the game.  Both teams had 13 turnovers.