Box Score Box Score

BEMIDJI, MINN. – With a second half push and a second straight career game from sophomore Alison Kusler, the Northern State (7-3, 3-2 NSIC) women's basketball team pushed Coach Fredrickson on the brink of a coaching milestone as they beat Bemidji State University (5-4, 3-2 NSIC) 73-60 in Bemidji, Minn.

In a first half that featured five ties and 13 lead changes, the Wolves took the lead for good with 4:38 remaining when Sarah Hintz grabbed the offensive rebound and put up the layup to give the Wolves a 24-23 lead.

The Wolves would build up a seven point lead with 2:22 left in the first half before the home Beavers would cut into the lead for a 33-29 Wolves halftime lead.

The second half saw the Wolves jump out with a 6-0 run with two jumpers from Hintz and a jump shot from Jenna Higgins.

The Wolves and Beavers would split baskets back and for until the Beavers cut the Wolves deficit to just seven with 10:27 in the game.

However, that is the closest the Beavers would get as Kusler and the Wolves proved too strong.

Kusler had a game high and yet another career high 23 points on 6-11 shooting while 3-5 from long range. Kusler also hauled in six rebounds for the Wolves.

Hintz, who also set a career high in points, had 14 points while seniors Emily Becken and Mikayla Barondeau each had ten for the Wolves.

The Beavers, who rank second n the NSIC in scoring, also paced four players in double figures, led by Samantha Baldwin with 16 points.

The Wolves dominated the boards as they had a plus sixteen rebound advantage, securing 40 rebounds on the evening to just 24 from the Beavers. Barondeau led the Wolves with seven rebounds, while Becken, Kuslter, and freshman Sadie Stotesbery each snagged six apiece.

Becken had a season high in assists for the Wolves with ten on the evening.

The Wolves shot 49.1 percent on 26-53 shooting, while holding the beavers to 37 percent on 20-54 shooting.

The win also moved Coach Curt Fredrickson to 699 career wins, as he looks to become just the second coach in NCAA Division II women's coach to reach 700 wins.

The Wolves return to the hardwood on Saturday as they take on the University of Minnesota-Duluth, in a 4 p.m. match-up in Duluth, Minnesota. Gene Reich will have the play-by-play on 94.1 The Rock.