Kansas City, K.S. – The Northern State University women's basketball team fell to Pittsburg State in the season opener by a final score of 94-81.
Northern State started the game with a 6-1 lead before the Gorillas tied up the game at eight. The Wolves finished the first quarter with a 16-11 lead. NSU had a 28-21 lead with 6:31 left in the first half before Pittsburg State finished the first half with a 23-5 run. Northern finished the first half-shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 2-6 from the three-point line, and out-rebounded Pittsburg State 15-14.
The Wolves were out-scored in the third quarter 27-15, trailing by 23 heading into the final quarter. With 8:13 left in the fourth quarter, the Wolves cut the Pittsburg State lead to 14 forcing the Gorillas to call a timeout but could not complete the comeback as the Wolves fell by a score of 94-81.
NSU finished the game shooting 50.0 percent for the game, 46.7 percent from behind the arc, and making 22-29 free throws in the game. The Wolves added 32 points in the paint, 28 bench points, and 13 points off turnovers.
Leading the way for the Wolves was
Brooke Luitjens in her first career game finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Senior
Sara Tvedt finished the game with 15 points, five rebounds, and one assist.
Lexi Wadsworth also in her first career game finished in double figures with 14 points, team leading seven rebounds, and four assists.
Anika Fredrick scored four points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Rounding out the starting five is
Tori Mekash, she recorded two points and three assists in the loss for the Wolves.
Joie Spier and
Zoe Hardwick led the bench in scoring with 11 points, Spier shot 3-for-3 from behind the arc with four rebounds and one steal. Alayna Jonson and
Rachel Guthmiller each tallied two points off the bench in the loss.
Kendall Kohler and
Sarah Rozell each tallied one point.
The Wolves are back in action Saturday afternoon in the second day of the Central Region Challenge as they match-up with Arkansas Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. against the Golden Suns from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
