Box Score Box Score
Coach Fredrickson Post-Game Comments

ABERDEEN, S.D. - One night after handing St. Cloud State its first loss of the season, the Northern State Wolves badgered the visiting Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs - the team picked to win the NSIC North Division in the pre-season poll - into a 72-42 victory behind a career-high 24 points from junior Alison Kusler Saturday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's basketball action.

NSU moved to 7-2 on the season and 3-2 in NSIC play while the Bulldogs slipped to 6-3 overall and a matching 3-2 mark in league play.

Northern State took control of the match-up early on, going on a 20-0 run midway through the first half to plant itself firmly in the driver's seat.  UMD, which went nearly 10 minutes without a point during that stretch, would get no closer than 14 the rest of the way.

Seven different players scored for the Wolves during that long first-half run.

Kusler accounted for 14 of her points from the free throw line in a particularly physical second half.  UMD was whistled for 24 total fouls and 19 total jump balls were called, as the Bulldogs employed an up-tempo defensive strategy.  The Bulldogs badgered NSU into 19 turnovers, but a solid defensive effort by the Wolves held UMD to just 22.1 percent shooting on the night, allowing the Wolves to overcome the miscues.

In turn, NSU forced UMD into 18 turnovers, but was able to turn those into 22 total points, shooting a solid 40.7 percent on the night. The Wolves also snagged 18 offensive rebounds and out-scored the Bulldogs 21-12 in second-chance opportunities.

The win closes out the 2012 calendar year for the Wolves, who also open the 2013 year at home on Jan. 4-5.  NSU will host Bemidji State and Minnesota, Crookston on Friday and Saturday, respectively.