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Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Northern State University women's basketball team claimed their first NSIC Tournament Championship Tuesday with a 61-45 win over No. 17 Wayne State College. Northern improves to 26-6 on the year heading into the NCAA Regional Tournament, where the Wolves have secured an automatic bid. The win marked the 773^rd of head coach Curt Fredrickson's career. 
 
Megan Mutchler led the Wolves with 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and seven steals in the game. Mutchler shot 6-of-11 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Rachel Krogman and Sadie Stotesbery tallied 16 and 14 points respectively and seven rebound apiece. The three senior starters were all named to the NSIC All-Tournament team. Mutchler and Stotesbery earned All-Tournament team honors, while Krogman was named the MVP. The trio combined for 48 points and 22 rebounds, while shooting 47 percent from the floor.
 
The Wolves completely out-played the Wildcats in the game out-shooting Wayne State from the floor 42.6 to 37.2 percent. Northern out-rebounded Wayne 35-26 in the game, recording 11 second chance points. Defensively NSU pressed Wayne State standout Jordan Spencer forcing a team high five turnovers from the starter and 19 from the team. The Wolves scored a total of 25 points off those 19 turnovers.
 
Northern started the game on an 8-0 run over the Wildcats, and held the lead through the 40 minutes of competition. Wayne State came within six points of Northern in the early minutes of the second half, before the Wolves scored 11 straight points and ran away with the championship.
 
Paige Waytashek tallied eight points and three rebounds, while Sami Smith and Lauren Deadrick each notched a bucket. Devon Brecke was second on the team with four assists, while adding three rebounds and one point of her own.  
 
The Wolves will now await the announcement of their regional opponent during the NCAA selection show Sunday.