Sioux Falls, S.D.- The Northern State University women's basketball team fell to the University of Sioux Falls 71-63 tonight in the semifinals of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament.  The Wolves ended their season with an overall record of 23-7, while USF advances to the finals with a record of 26-5.
 
NSU battled with the Cougars in the first half, trailing just 29-30 after 20 minutes of action. Both teams resumed play in the third quarter after shooting in the 34.0 percentile; however, Sioux Falls came out aggressive in the second half going on a 20-12 run. Down 41-50, the Wolves fought back offensively tallying 22 points to USF's 21, but it was not enough to clinch the victory.
 
As a team, Northern State finished out the contest shooting 34.8 percent from field goal range, 26.7 percent from the three-point arc, and 81.3 percent from the foul line. The Wolves collected 20 points from the paint and 17 total off of second chances, pulling down 48 team rebounds.
 
Senior Devon Brecke led the team with 19 points, going 7-7 from the free-throw line. Jill Conrad and Paige Waytashek were the two other Wolves scoring in double-digits, collecting 17 and 10 respectively. Waytashek had a hot hand from three-point range, notching 3-6 from beyond the arc.
 
Jill Conrad and junior Alexis Tappe led NSU in rebounds with nine a piece.  As a unit, Northern State lifted four steals and came up with three blocks.
 
USF converted NSU's 14 turnovers into 19 points, and recorded 11 fast break points in the match-up. The Cougars shot 40.0 percent from field goal range throughout, with Taylor Varsho leading the way. Varsho picked up a team-high 26 points, going 8-16 from the floor and a perfect 4-4 from the foul line.
 
Devon Brecke and Lauren Deadrick each finished their senior seasons on a high note. Brecke ended the year with a career best season averaging 11.4 points per game, while Deadrick topped the NSIC in rebounds per game, finishing with 8.5 boards a match.