Box Score Box Score

MARSHALL, MINN. – Using a balanced attack and just ten turnovers in the game, the Northern State Wolves (10-7, 6-6 NSIC) women's basketball team snapped a three game losing skid winning 69-55 against Southwest Minnesota State (5-10, 4-7 NSIC).

The Mustangs took control early, not allowing a Wolves lead in the first half. Abby Kenealy got the game started with a bang, by knocking down a lay up which was also the 1,000th point of her career.

Sarah Hintz put the Wolves on the scoreboard 19 seconds later, cutting to the basket where Emily Becken found her for the assist.

After trading a pair of baskets and having the game tied five different times, the Mustangs took charge with a 12-10 lead at the 11:40 mark.

Building a five point lead in the early going, the Mustangs forced the Wolves into six first half turnovers and just 35 percent shooting which included an 0-5 effort from three point land, the Mustangs controlled most of the first half.

After the Wolves would make a small run to cut into the Mustang lead to just one, Jenna Higgins was charged with a flagrant foul on a rebound, resulting in four quick points for the Mustangs.

With the largest lead of the game, seven points, at 27-20, the Wolves went on a 9-2 run to finish the first half and bring the score back to tie, the sixth of the half.

Entering the intermission the game was at a 29-29 all stand still.

Coming out of the locker room, the Wolves jumped out to a 35-31 lead for their first lead of the game. Taylor Voss was able to connect on a jumper in the paint before Mikayla Barondeau had a lay up to tie the game for the seventh time. Barondeau then hit a jumper for the lead.

Higgins secured the steal for the Wolves and on the ensuing possession Sarah Hintz connected on a lay up for the 35-31 lead.

The Wolves would increase thanks to Alison Kusler's first points of the game when she connected on consecutive lay ups giving the Wolves a 39-33 lead with 15:44 remaining.

In what became very reminiscent of the first half, just flip flopped parts, the Wolves climbed out into the small lead then the two teams traded baskets as neither team were able to make moves to pull ahead.

With the score at 48-43, freshman Caitlin Farroh had a conventional three point play which became the turning point for the Wolves, giving them the 51-43 lead.

Using a mini 6-0 run, the Wolves increased their lead 64-51 with 3:33 remaining in the game after another Kusler lay up and four free throws, two each from Hintz and Barondeau.

The Mustangs took a time out which pushed them on a 5-0 run lasting 17 seconds after a layup by Ellen Degler, a turnover from Alison Kusler, and a long range basket from Bree Holleman, cutting the NSU lead to just nine at 64-55.

That is the closest the Mustangs would get as the Wolves hit their shots down the stretch, including 5-6 from the free throw line.

The Wolves were led by Becken with 16 points, Barondeau with 13, and Hintz with 11. Kusler and Higgins each chipped in with 8 points apiece.

The Mustangs won the battle of shooting percentages by making 48.9 percent of their shots, compared to 45.3 for the Wolves. When the Mustangs did miss, the Wolves swept up the rebounds, winning the battle of the boards 34-22. Hintz had nine rebounds for a game high.

The Wolves will return home on Saturday Jan. 21 in a 6 p.m. match up against the University of Mary.