Aberdeen, S.D. – After a close NSIC loss to MSU Moorhead, the Northern State women's basketball team bounced back tonight to defeat their first South Division competitor of the season. With the 66-52 victory, the Wolves improve to 9-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play, while the Golden Bears fall to 7-5 overall and 3-3 in the NSIC.

The Wolves gained a strong lead early in the match, closing out the first ten minutes of action with a 16-9 lead. Concordia- St. Paul outscored NSU 19-16 in the second quarter, however the Wolves headed into the half holding a four-point lead.

Northern State notched 34 second half points to seal their ninth win of the season. As a unit, the Wolves shot 46.6 percent from field goal range, 50.0 percent from the three-point arc and 37.5 percent from the foul line. NSU tallied 26 points in the paint, 14 points off turnovers, eight second chance points and six points off the bench.

Four NSU starters scored in double-digits, with Miranda Ristau leading the way at 16 points. Senior Paige Waytashek followed up with 15 total points, while Jill Conrad notched 13 and Bethany Crosswait finished with a season-high 11. Bethany Crosswait led the team from field goal range, shooting 62.5 percent, while Paige Waytashek shot a team-high 75.0 percent from the arc.

Miranda Ristau and Bethany Crosswait led the team from the boards with eight and seven rebounds respectively. Jill Conrad and Paige Waytashek each nabbed two steals, while Miranda Ristau had a season-high five assists.

The Wolves will continue action from Wachs Arena tomorrow night, taking on the Minnesota State Mavericks at 4 p.m.