Northern State University Athletics

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Moorhead, Minn. – Northern State started strong and jumped out to an early lead, but Central Missouri grabbed the momentum late in the first quarter to push themselves to a 75-57 season-opening victory. Rianna Fillipi and Kailee Oliverson combined for 27 of the 57 points for the Wolves, shooting 43.5 percent from the field.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 57, UCM 75
Records: NSU 0-1, UCM 1-0
Attendance: 120
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kailee Oliverson put Northern State up 10-7 early in the first quarter, converting an and-one opportunity after a made layup
• Central Missouri ended the quarter on a 16-6 run, shooting 7-15 during the final six-minute stretch of play and would carry that momentum into the second period
• NSU held the Jennies scoreless the final 1:45 of the first half and scored the final four points of the second quarter with layups by Madelyn Bragg and Rianna Fillipi
• After forcing only two UCM turnovers in the first half, the Wolves were able to force three in the first three minutes of the third quarter and held the Jennies scoreless the first 3:14 of the second half
• A Fillipi 3-pointer with 8:16 left in the fourth quarter was able to cut the Central Missouri down to 14 points after five consecutive points by the Wolves
• Northern State countered a 6-0 Jennie run with an 8-0 run of their own with back-to-back 3-pointers by Fillipi and Jordyn Hilgemann, followed by a layup by Brynn Alfson; the scoring run cut the lead to 12 points with 4:39 remaining in the game, which was the closest the Wolves had been since the 5:58 mark in the second quarter
• Northern State recorded 4 blocks in the game, extending a streak of 35 consecutive games with a blocked shot that dates back to a January 30, 2021, game against Minnesota Duluth
• Northern out-rebounded Central Missouri 46-45, the Wolves grabbed 20 offensive rebounds that led to 20 second chance points

 NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Rianna Fillipi: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Kailee Oliverson: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
 
UP NEXT
Northern State will close out this weekend's Central Region Conference Challenge facing another MIAA foe in Rogers State tomorrow afternoon. The Wolves and Hillcats are scheduled for a 5 p.m. tip-off at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minnesota.