Aberdeen, S.D.- The Northen State women's basketball team defeated Augustana University 60-57 in front a packed crowd from Wachs Arena tonight. With the victory, the Wolves are now 17-5 overall and 13-4 in conference action, while the Vikings drop to 17-6 oveall and 11-6 in the NSIC. NSU continues to stay atop the NSIC North Division, along side MSU Moorhead in the race.
The Wolves got an early jump on the Vikings in tonight's match-up, holding them to just two points in the first 10 minutes of action. NSU continued to maintain a double-digit spread throughout almost the entire first half, with a 30-18 lead. Augustana crept back in the third quarter, cutting the Northern State lead down to six points. The two teams kept it close in the final minutes of the match.
Down by one point with 1:32 remaining, Augustana applied a full court press that forced the Wolves back to back turnovers, however, they were unable to convert them into offensive points. The Vikings sent
Lauren Deadrick to the foul line with 6.3 seconds left and the senior sunk one of two free-throws to put the Wolves on top 60-57. Augustana inbounded the ball from their own basket with 0.3 seconds left, but Northern State's aggressive defense swatted the ball away to complete the victory.
As a team, Northern State shot 37.5 percent from field goal range, 31.3 percent from beyond the three point arch and 72.2 percent from the foul line. The Wolves were outrebound 49-45, collected 16 points in the paint and created 12 points off of turnovers in the match. NSU forced 10 Augustana turnovers, recorded four steals, as well as a season-high nine blocks.
Senior
Devon Brecke led the Wolves offensively, nabbing 15 points on the night, shooting 55.6 percent from field goal range and picking up four assists. Junior guard
Bethany Crosswait recorded a career-high 12 points, while
Jill Conrad and
Lauren Deadrick each collected 10. Deadrick also led the Wolves with 12 total rebounds in the contest.
Augustana had three players pick up double-digit points, led by Naomi Rust and Sophie Kenney with 13 and Nicole Kerkhoff finishing with 11 total points. As a unit, the Vikings were held to a 26.0 field goal percentage and a 29.6 three-point percentage.
Northern State will return to Wachs Arena tomorrow night at 4 p.m. to face Wayne State College in continuation of I Hate Winter festivities.
