Nov. 7, 1999

Senior guard Jammie Coyle exploded for a career-high 37 points to lead Northern State past ninth-ranked Francis Marion (Florence, S.C.) 77-63 Sunday afternoon at the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. With the win, NSU claimed fifth place in the tourney.

Coyle was named tournament MVP after her stellar weekend. She broke eight records in the three-year old Disney tournament. Her 80 points in three games has already moved her from 11th to sixth on NSU's all-time scoring list. She now stands at 1,378 career points, passing Jane Nicolaisen, who totaled 1,375 career points from 1976-80.

The Wolves toppled the national power (Francis Marion ranked ninth by the USA Today/WBCA Pre-season poll) with a stifling defense that allowed only 22 percent shooting and 24 first-half points to give the Wolves a 39-24 cushion at the break. Francis Marion came as close as six points in the last three minutes of the game, but the Wolves sealed the deal by hitting their last eight free-throws. Coyle was unstoppable, shooting 14-of-25 from the field, including 5-of-10 from downtown and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

Junior forward Memory Johannsen (Tolstoy) provided the needed counterpart in NSU's offensive punch with 19 points (6-of-10 shooting) to go with seven rebounds and a game-high seven assists. The Wolves had to do without starting point guard Amanda Mikuska, who rolled her ankle Saturday in NSU's game against Barry University. Taking her spot in the starting lineup was sophomore Sara Hemquist, who performed well in her starting debut with seven points, six boards and six assists.