Brookings, S.D. – The Northern State University women's basketball team, opened their season with an exhibition game against in-state Division I opponent South Dakota State University. The Jackrabbits defeated the Wolves 80-64 at home. Northern held with SDSU in the first half play before the Jacks broke the game open in the second half.
 
Devon Brecke tied the game at 25 all with six minutes remaining in the first half, by virtue of the long ball. Brecke was 2-2 from three point range, scoring ten points in the contest, while adding five rebounds and two assists.
 
Senior Rachel Krogman led the team with 13 points and six rebounds in the game, as she shot 5-12 from the floor. Lauren Deadrick made an instant impact under the basket pulling down 11 rebounds on the day, while tallying three blocks. Deadrick added five points of her own in the loss.
 
The Northern starters compiled 36 of the teams 64 points in the game, led by Krogman. Paige Waytashek dropped eight points, and led the team with four assists. Ten of the eleven Wolves that stepped on the court scored in the game, as NSU notched 20 points in the paint and eight off offensive rebounds. The Wolves shot 41.2 percent as a team, surpassing their season average from a year ago.
 
The Wolves committed 15 turnovers, and shot only 63.0 percent from the free throw line. Megan Mutchler and Sadie Stotesbery each recorded six points in the game, while Kara Hofschild, Bethany Crosswait, and Deadrick notched five. MacKinzie Magner and Sami Smith tallied three points each, and Smith added two assists.
 
NSU begins regular season play next weekend as they head to the Wayne State Tournament. Northern will match-up against Northwest Missouri State, Friday November 14^th at 8 p.m., and Nebraska Kearney, Saturday November 15^th at 6 p.m., from Wayne Nebraska. The Wolves home opener is scheduled for November 19^th at 6 p.m. against Jamestown with the men to follow at 8 p.m. from Wachs Arena.