Sioux Falls, S.D. – Northern State women's basketball could not hang on for the upset against Sioux Falls Friday evening.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Scores: NSU 61, USF 65
Record: NSU 12-11 (NSIC 8-8), USF 21-3 (NSIC 14-3)
Attendance: 740
HIGHLIGHTS
- The game started with neither team being able to make shots in the opening minutes of play
- USF struck first on a layup in the paint from Jessie Geer after three and a half minutes after opening tip-off
- The Wolves answered back quickly as Joie Spier was sent to the charity stripe making both of her shots bringing the game back even a 2-2
- NSU kept the first-quarter close only trailing by five after ten minutes of play shooting 33.3% on the floor
- Northern State responded efficiently in the second quarter, shooting 72.7% on the floor, 50.0% at 3-point distance and a perfect 3-of-3 at the foul line
- NSU made several small runs in the second quarter, which set them one point ahead of Sioux Falls at the break
- The Wolves came out of halftime and did not miss a beat going on an 11-0 run that span two minutes and two seconds
- Lexi Wadsworth's layup with 2:37 left in the third gave the Wolves their largest lead of the quarter at 11
- Sioux Falls was able to go on an 8-0 run after the layup from Wadsworth cutting the lead to three
- With 4:20 left in the game, Kaely Hummel of the cougars leveled the game at 58-58 after hitting a three
- The Wolves were unable to take the lead after the game-tying shot from Hummel shifting the momentum of the game
- In the game, NSU shot 44.0% from the floor, 30.0% from distance and 84.6% at the foul line
- Northern State's bench contributed with 25 points in the contest led by Alayna Johnson as she scored a season-high 13 points in her ten minutes off the bench
- NSU dominated in the paint against USF out-scoring them 30-26
- The Wolves and Cougars saw the lead change four times this evening
- Northern held Sioux Falls 2.5% below their season shooting average from the floor
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Alayna Johnson: 85.7 FG%, 13 points
- Shariah Smith: 60.0 FG%, 66.6 3-PT%, 50.0 FT%, 2 assists, 1 steal, 9 points
- Jessi Marti: 60.0 FG%, 100.0 FT%, 2 assists, 8 points
- Brianna Kusler: 11 rebounds, 5 assists
- Lexi Wadsworth: 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 7 points
UP NEXT
Northern State women's basketball takes on Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minnesota tomorrow evening. Tip-off against the Mustangs is slated for 4 p.m..