Dec. 11, 1999
Senior point guard Amanda Mikuska (Platte) simply took over down the stretch in NSU's 77-75 win over Southwest State Saturday, scoring NSU's final seven points in the last minute of the game to give NSU the win in Marshall, Minn.
With the score tied at 70-70, Mikuska's steal and layup with 56 seconds remaining put the Wolves up by two. On SSU's next possession, 5-9 junior forward Natalie Braun (Warner) rebuffed SSU 6-2 post Shelly Honerman's shot and Mikuska was right there to scoop up the rejection. After an NSU timeout, the two would then hook up on the other side of the court for the play of the game, when Braun's pass found Mikuska open and ready to nail the coffin with a clutch 3-pointer that put the Wolves up by five with 13 seconds remaining.
The Mustangs came right back with a 3-pointer of the their own by Erin Frye, who ended the game with a career-best 30 points. But SSU's miracle comeback attempt hit the wall when the Mustangs were forced to foul Mikuska on the ensuing inbounds pass. Mikuska stepped up and knocked down both attempts with five seconds remaining to ice the game. She ended the game with 13 points and six rebounds.
As in Wayne State the night before, NSU's win was largely due to a balanced scoring attack. Five Wolves reached double digits in points, led by senior guard Jammie Coyle's (Belle Fourche) 15. Braun again led the boards crew with nine rebounds to go with 12 points. Junior posts Jennifer Murphy (Aberdeen) and Beth Carlson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively. Carlson also tallied seven rebounds on the night. Junior forward Memory Johannsen, who returned after her head bounced off the R/A Facility floor in the second half after a tie-up, finished with a team-high seven assists to go with seven points.
After coming up big in what is certainly one of the most difficult weekend road trips the NSIC has to offer in women's hoops, the Wolves will host undefeated Augustana College (6-0) Wednesday. A win would be the fourth time this season the Wolves have knocked off a previously unbeaten team from the vaunted North Central Conference.