Aberdeen, S.D. – In their final exhibition game of the 2017-18 season, the Northern State University women's basketball team defeated Dakota Wesleyan 83-68 from Wachs Arena. The Wolves improve to 1-2 in exhibition matches this season.
Dakota Wesleyan stayed within striking distance through the first three quarters scoring 64 points to the Wolves 66. Northern however buckled down defensively and held the Tigers to just four points in the final ten minutes of action. The Wolves added 17 points of their own in the fourth, coming away with the 15 point victory.
Northern shot 56.4 percent from the floor, 55.6 percent from the arc, and 80.0 percent from the foul line. They tallied 42 points in the paint, 11 points off the bench, nine points off 11 offensive boards, and nine points off seven Tiger turnovers. NSU out-rebounded DWU by 23 boards in the win, with 43 total including 32 defensive grabs. The Wolves held the Tigers under 40.0 percent on defense, as DWU shot 37.9 percent from the floor, 34.5 percent from the arc, and 73.7 percent from the foul line.
Miranda Ristau led the team with a triple-double, getting the jump done in multiple ways. The senior tallied a team leading 26 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists. She went 11-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.
Jill Conrad was second on the team with 18 points and eight boards, while
Alexis Tappe was the final Wolf in double figures with 15 points. Conrad and Tappe each shot above 50 percent from the floor, knocking down 6-of-13 and 5-of-10 respectively.
Jessi Marti notched nine points of her own, adding five rebounds and three assists, followed by Haley Froelich with five points. Both Marti and Froelich shot 66.7 percent from field goal range and tallied one of the team's five 3-point baskets.
Brianna Kusler rounded out the starters with four points in the win, as well as
Brynn Flakus with four points of her own.
Sara Tvedt added the final two points for the Wolves.
Gabby Laimer was second on the team with four assists, while Ristau notched a team leading two blocks.
Northern will open the regular season this Friday and Saturday from the Conference Challenge in Kansas City. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Friday versus No. 3 Harding and 12 p.m. on Saturday against No. 13 Central Missouri.
