Dec. 11, 1998

In a game that was much closer than the final score indicated, undefeated Wayland Baptist (11-0) defeated Northern State (4-4) 90-73 Friday night in the second round of the 7-Up Lady Buff Classic hosted by West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

The Wolves and Flying Queens played to a near stalemate at the half, with Wayland leading 51-50. Northern State came out hot in the second half and led by as much as eight midway through the final stanza before Wayland went on a big run to finish the game.

Junior guards Jammie Coyle (Belle Fourche, S.D.) and Amanda Mikuska (Platte, S.D.) each hit six 3-pointers to help NSU go 12-26 as a team from behind the arc. Coyle ended with 25 points, Mikuska 22. Senior center Crystal Bonnichsen (Highmore, S.D.) finished with a team-high seven rebounds. Perhaps the most telling stat in the loss was at the free-throw line, where Wayland Baptist stepped up 25 times and knocked down 23 shots throughout the game compared to Northern's four opportunities and three points from the stripe.

The Flying Queens, who are ranked second in the nation in NAIA I, were led by All-American Hazel Taylor's 25 points.

For NSU coach Curt Fredrickson, the game marked his 100th career coaching loss. In his 20th season at NSU, Fredrickson's career record stands at 470-100. He ranks third among active Division II coaches in wins and winning percentage.