Aberdeen, S.D. - Midway through NSIC play, the Northern State women's basketball team has compiled an overall record of 11-3 and conference record of 7-3. The Wolves are coming off a split on the road, falling to the University of Mary 69-56 and then bouncing back to defeat Minot State 76-66.
As a unit, Northern is shooting 44.7% from the floor, 33.1% from the arc, and 73.4% from the foul line, while averaging 65.7 points, 36.9 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 13.5 turnovers, 6.6 steals and 3.9 blocks per game. The Wolves have been strong on defense this season in league games sitting third in scoring defense (55.3), and first in rebounding margin (+4.7). NSU is also second overall in the conference with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.2.
Jill Conrad led the Wolves last weekend on the road, averaging 21.0 points and 8.5 rebounds against the two opponents. The junior went 10-17 from the floor versus U-Mary and 5-7 against the Minot State defense for a shooting percentage of 65.1.
Miranda Ristau aided the Wolves with 25 total points, nine rebounds and two steals.
The Wolves will face Wayne State at 6 p.m. on Friday from the Rice Auditorium and then take on Augustana University at 4 p.m. on Saturday from the Elmen Center. Saturday night's game will be broadcasted live on ESPN 3.
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About the Wildcats
- Wayne State enters the weekend with an 11-3 record overall and 6-3 mark in league action.
- The Wildcats are shooting 42.5% from the floor, 32.1% from the arc, and 74.3% from the foul line, while averaging 69.9 points, 37.8 rebounds, 15.0 assists, 17.0 turnovers, 11.5 steals, and 5.6 blocks per game.
- Paige Ballinger leads the team with 193 points, averaging 13.8 points and 2.4 blocks a game. Senior Anna Martensen hit the boards for a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game.
- Chris Kielsmeier leads Wayne State in his ninth season as head coach. Kielsmeier has compiled an overall record of 368-102 with the program.
Last Match-Up
- The Wolves fell to the Wildcats 66-51 during NSIC play last season, however defeat Wayne State in the Conference Tournament 76-56.
- Jill Conrad led the team in the first meeting, tallying 15 points and four assists, while Paige Waytashek recorded 15 points, four rebounds and four assists during the tournament.
About the Vikings
- Augustana enters the weekend with a 12-5 record overall and 7-3 mark in league action.
- The Vikings are shooting 41.2% from the floor, 33.1% from the arc, and 73.0% from the foul line, while averaging a conference-high 79.9 points, 41.9 rebounds, 18.9 assists, 14.0 turnovers, 12.1 steals, and 5.1 blocks per game this season.
- Logan O'Farrell leads the team with 236 points with an average of 13.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
- Dave Krauth enters his 27th season as head coach of Augustana University. Krauth holds an overall record of 554-246 with the Vikings.
Last Match-Up
- The Wolves defeated the Vikings 60-57 last season.
- Bethany Crosswait tallied her career-high 12 points, while Jill Conrad followed up with 10 points of her own.
- Northern shot 37.5 percent from the floor, while holding the Vikings to just 26.0 percent from field goal range.
