Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Northern State University women's basketball team was defeated in another five-point contest on the road tonight, falling to Augustana University 76-71. With the loss, the Wolves fall to 11-5 overall and 7-5 in the NSIC, while the Vikings improve to 13-6 overall and 8-4 in conference play.

The Wolves won the first quarter 21-16 and continued the momentum into the second quarter, grabbing their largest lead of 11 points at 7:12. The two teams would end the half with NSU holding a 37-29 advantage.

Augustana climbed back in the second half, outscoring Northern State by two figures in the third quarter. The Wolves fought back 67-70 with 41 seconds remaining, however the Vikings sunk six-straight free throws to seal the victory.

As a unit, Northern shot 33.3 percent from the floor, 16.7 percent from the three-point arc and 71.4 from the charity stripe. NSU recorded 26 points in the paint, 12 points off turnovers, 19 second chance points and 28 points off the bench. The Wolves outrebounded Augustana 51 to 38. Each team ended the night with six blocks, while the Vikings led the two squads with 10 steals.

Both Northern State and Augustana University had four players score in double-digits. Junior Jill Conrad led the way for NSU with 19 total points. Conrad shot 6-of-12 from field goal range, 7-of-8 from the foul line and tallied eight rebounds.

Miranda Ristau and Paige Waytashek each put up 11 points for the Wolves, while Jessi Marti had a career-high 10 points. Ristau led NSU with a career-high 13 rebounds and four blocks, while Brianna Kusler led the offense with four assists.

The Wolves will return home to Wachs Arena next weekend, taking on St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth. Tip-off against the Huskies at 6 p.m. on Friday and the Bulldogs at 4 p.m. on Saturday.