Box Score Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. – A career night of 25 points from Kaycee Charette of MSU Moorhead (5-8, 2-7 NSIC) and a deficit of 19 points at one point was too much for the Northern State Wolves (9-6, 5-5) to overcome in the 72-62 loss on Sunday afternoon.

The Wolves jumped out to a quick 6-2 start after Emily Becken was fouled on a three point attempt, sinking all three of her free throws. Mikayla Barondeau was then found in the corner when Alison Kusler drove the baseline and kicked the ball out to Barondeau who sank the three.

Charette sank the first of five three point baskets to pull the Dragons to within one in the early going setting up a short back and forth affair.

Coming out of the media time out with the game tied at 15, the Dragons went on a 20-3 run to open a 35-18 lead, using the same formula used by Minnesota, Crookston the previous night of forcing turnovers and making the long shot.

Going into the intermission break, the Dragons held a 43-25 advantage after forcing nine Wolves turnovers and shooting 58.1 percent on 18-31 shots.

After taking advantage, the Wolves broke the Dragon lead down to just 7 with 12:17 remaining in the game, going 6-6 from the free throw line

The Dragons used two free throws and two three point baskets, both from Charette, to build the lead back up to 15 with quickly.

Not to be outdone, the Wolves created another run, this time a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to just four at 58-54. The four point deficit would come as Haley Thomforde fouled Becken on a lay up, which fell, for the conventional three point play.

After Charette went back to the charity stripe and sank two free throws, the Dragon lead was back at six.

On the ensuing possession, Becken dished to Jenna Higgins for the open jump shot from 17 feet out to cut the lead back to four.

The Wolves forced Angie Jetvig into a tough shot, which was rebounded by Alison Kusler allowing for the Wolves to cut the deficit to just two. Becken took care of that end, when the shot clock was running low she drove to the basket with a nifty lay in to beat the shot clock, with the score now 60-58 in favor of the Dragons.

Off of a Morgan Zabel missed lay up, Hintz snagged the rebound and passed ahead to Barondeau who was fouled in transition hit both free throws from the charity stripe in the one and one situation. Those two free throws tied the game at 60 apiece.

Angie Jetvig would get fouled on the Dragon side of the court and would sink both of her free throws to give the Dragons the 62-60 lead.

With 1:51 left and the Wolves ball down two, Becken was charged with the offensive foul driving to the basket.

The Dragons would be sent back to the free throw line on their subsequent possession and Charette sank both free throws to give the Dragons the lead at 64-60.

With the score at 66-60, Jetvig blocked a Barondeau three point attempt, as Barondeau fought to regain full possession, the ball trickled into the backcourt where the backcourt violation occurred.

The Wolves would not be able to recover as the Dragons would make their final six free throws down the stretch, to give the final score of 72-62.

The Wolves were led by Becken with 18 points, who also dished out six assists. Alison Kusler had 11 points and Sarah Hintz chipped in ten for the Wolves.

The Dragons were led by Charette who had a career high of 25 points on 7-10 shooting while Jetvig had 16 for MSUM.

The Wolves continued their trend of out rebounding opponents, with corralling 36 compared to 32 for the Dragons. Barondeau led the Wolves with eight while Jetvig had a game high 13 for the Dragons.

The Wolves hit the road next weekend as they travel to Mankato, Minnesota for the NSIC encounter. The Wolves hit the floor at 6 p.m. Friday against Minnesota State, in Mankato