Box Score Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. - One night removed of using the long ball to give themselves a convincing victory, the Northern State (9-4, 5-3 NSIC) women's basketball team gripped down on the defensive end enroute to the 59-49 victory over the Winona State Warriors (7-6, 2-5 NSIC).

The first half featured four ties and two lead changes until the Wolves used a mini 5-0 run from Emily Becken to take the lead 22-19 with 4:51 remaining. The Wolves would finish the half with a 30-23 lead.

The Wolves opened the second stanza on an 8-0 run, capped by two Mikayla Barondeau free throws.

The Warriors would go on a run of their own, after Sadie Stotesbery hit a jumper with 12:56 remaining in the game, the Warriors scored 14 unanswered points to tie the game at 44 all with 3:53 remaining.

However the Wolves got their first points in more than nine minutes when Sarah Hintz stepped up to the charity stripe to calmly sink two free throws.

After a missed shot from Becca Friestleben, Northern called a time out, which set up a play for Jenna Higgins who hit a jump hook for the first field goal in 10 minutes for the Wolves.

Northern would go up by seven with 2:07 remaining when Hintz found Higgins for a jumper in the paint.

Winona State cut into the lead with a jumper from Tessa Wells and a shot from Caitie Zepcyk, cutting the lead to just four with 1:19 remaining.

Hintz's career night said a Warrior comeback would not happen, as she would finish with four of the last six Wolves points and the Wolves defense stopped any last comeback opportunity.

Hintz ended the evening with 18 points and nine rebounds, while connecting on seven of her ten field goal opportunities. Higgins added 13 points while going 5-5 from the charity stripe.

The Wolves out rebounded the Warriors 38-30 with Hintz's nine, Kusler adding eight, and Barondeau grabbing seven.

The Wolves return home on Saturday January 7, as they play host to the University of Minnesota, Crookston in a 4 p.m. match up.