WOLVES USE BIG FIRST HALF TO NOTCH 15th STRAIGHT HOME VICTORY

Feb. 15, 2002

Northern's fab five -- NSU honored its senior class of five after the game Friday night. Aside from each playing integral roles for the team on the court, the seniors also sport a combined GPA of 3.59. From left, Amanda Dietrich, Holly Schaunaman, head coach Curt Fredrickson, Jodi Purath, Shanna Dahl and Sara Hemquist.

Northern State honored its senior class of five after an 87-70 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win over Bemidji State Friday night in Aberdeen.

The game was a microcosm of the type of leadership the senior has been showing all season, with no individual grabbing headlines as the team steamrolled to another victory and kept its hopes alive for a conference championship.

NSU's leading scorer in the game had just 11 points, but 18 players saw time on the court and 15 of them scored. On the season, no player averages 10 or more points per game, but as a team the Wolves outscore opponents by almost 10 points per game.

Theo's burner -- NSU forward Shana Theobald turns on the jets to get past BSU's Christine Morris Friday night.

The win was also Northern's 10th straight at home this season and 15th straight within the friendly confines of Wachs Arena dating back to last season.

Freshman post Natalie Hopkins (St. Louis Park, Minn.) and freshman guard Andrea Ronderos (Washburn, N.D.) had 11 apiece to lead NSU in scoring. No one played over 20 minutes in the game, as NSU parlayed a 58-33 first-half effort into a second half where many junior varsity players got to see quality time on the floor. Amy Owens led BSU (3-20 overall, 1-14 NSIC) with 14 points.

With the win, Northern (16-8 overall, 11-5 NSIC) stayed in the conference title chase. Saturday's home matchup with league contender Minnesota-Duluth is a make-or-break game if the Wolves have any chance of claiming the 2002 conference title. Perhaps even more importantly, a win against UMD would help in seedings for the NSIC Tournament. The Wolves will host a first-round game Feb. 27.