Western Oregon Rallies for 68-61 Victory Over Northern State in Valley Imports Classic

November 29, 2002

FARGO, N.D .-- The Northern State University women's basketball team was defeated by Western Oregon, 68-61, in day one of the North Dakota State Valley Imports Classic in Fargo, N.D. on Friday night.

Northern held the lead for over 16 minutes of the first half and nearly seven minutes of the second before WOU outran the Wolves to the gun.

NSU built leads as large as seven points in the first half including a 32-25 advantage at the half. NSU even extended its lead to nine points at 41-32 early in the second but Western Oregon made a 13-2 run to take its first lead since the 17:57 mark in the first half at 45-43 with 12:18 to go in the game.

NSU hung around for the remainder of the game, coming within two with 1:29 to play, but the WOU Wolves would keep Northern at bay long enough to gain their first win of the season.

--Western Oregon saw two players top the 20-point mark. Serenity Ragone with 21 and Erica Matthews with 20.

--Northere State was led by Shana Theobald who posted 11 points. Amanda Mollman and Michelle Hanson each recorded ten-point games.

--Tia Michalski paced the Wolves in rebounding with nine on the night. Mollman recorded eight rebounds.

--Western Oregon hit 6-of-8 three-pointers in the second half and was 7-of-14 on the game.

--Northern shot 38 percent from the floor as a team compared to just over 40 percent by WOU.

--NSU outrebounded Western Oregon 46 to 36. Northern pulled down 22 offensive boards on the night.

--Michelle Hanson was the only NSU player to shoot over 50 percent on the night going 5-for-9 from the floor.

--Northern State (1-3) plays against Chadron State Saturday at 5:30 p.m.