MARSHALL, Minn. – A 26-point second quarter propelled Northern State to an 81-79 non-conference victory against Southwest Minnesota State, NSU's second overtime win of the season. In the game, the Wolves recorded 81 points, 39 rebounds, 18 assists, five steals and four blocks while shooting 29-57 (50.9%) from the field, 2-8 (25%) from deep and 21-32 (65.6%) from the charity stripe.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Final score: NSU 81, SMSU 79
Records: NSU 4-2 (0-1 NSIC), SMSU 2-4 (0-1 NSIC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Wolves jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead before the Mustangs went on a 13-4 run to lead by five midway through the first quarter
• After starting the second quarter down 23-18, the Wolves rallied and mounted a 26-point second quarter, their highest-scoring quarter of the season
• In the NSIC matchup, Taylor Tool led the Wolves with 26 points, making 50% of her field goals, 33.3% of her 3-pointers and 70% of her free throws while also tallying two blocks and three rebounds
• After starting the second half with an 11-point lead, an SMSU layup tied the game at 72-all
• In the five minutes of overtime, Northern State outscored Southwest Minnesota State 9-7 and earned its first conference win of the season
• Izzy Moore and Morgan Fiedler both finished the outing with 15 points, while Moore recorded five rebounds and a career-high eight assists for the Wolves
• Fiedler finished with three boards and four assists (second most on the team)
• With 14 points on the day, Megan Counts also finished with over 10 points in the game while tallying five rebounds and three assists
• As a team, Northern State made 11-16 (68.75%) shots in the second quarter, its best shooting quarter of the day, and scored 44 of its 81 points in the paint
• For the Mustangs, Audrey Swanson led the team in points with 23 while Nicole Maenke recorded 21
• Swanson led the team in rebounds with nine, while Allie Haabala, Maddie Thorfinnson and Brynn Busse finished with two steals apiece
• SMSU went 45.6% from the field, 20% from deep and 84.6% from the line

 
NORTHERN STATISICAL STANDOUTS
Taylor Tool: 24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks
Izzy Moore: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists
Morgan Fiedler: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Megan Counts: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
 
UP NEXT
Northern State will hit the road again for a contest against UMary on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before returning home to play Minot State on Saturday at 6 p.m.