Jan. 23, 1999

A return home was just what Northern needed, as the Wolves found the range from the field to post a convincing 91-61 win over Minnesota-Morris Saturday night in the Barnett Center.

The Wolves (8-10, 3-1 NSIC) shot 48 percent from the field and 54 percent in the second half to steadily pull away from the Cougars (9-9, 2-2 NSIC), who came into the game tied for second with NSU and Southwest State in the conference standings. The Mustangs dropped their conference game against Winona State Saturday, leaving the Wolves in sole possession of second place behind the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (11-8, 4-1 NSIC), who handed it to Moorhead State Saturday.

After NSU's starting five started out a frigid 2-of-11 from the field, freshman reserve guard Holly Schaunaman (Warner, S.D.) got the Wolves on track by knocking down a jumper then a 3-pointer to give NSU a 10-8 lead with 14 minutes, seven seconds remaining in the first half. After Schaunaman's spark, NSU warmed up from the field and wouldn't trail again.

NSU ended up running in 18 players throughout the game. Junior guard Jammie Coyle (Belle Fourche, S.D.) led all scorers with 21 points in 22 minutes. Senior post Crystal Bonnichsen (Highmore, S.D.) with eight boards to go along with 10 points. Sophomore center Jennifer Murphy (Aberdeen, S.D.) rounded out NSU's double-digit scorers with 11 points. Anna Townsend led UMM with 19 points.