SOUTHWEST STATE RALLIES PAST NORTHERN WOMEN

February 7 , 2003

Marshall, Minn . -- Things looked very promising for the Northern State women's basketball team on Friday night in Marshall, Minn. as the Wolves held a 37-34 halftime advantage over regionally-ranked Southwest State.

But the Mustangs showed why they were one of the best teams in the region by shutting down the Northern attack and outscoring NSU 46-18 in the second half to claim an 80-55 win over the visiting Wolves.

Southwest held a 34-32 lead with 2:24 remaining in the first before Northern's Amber Powell hit a field goal followed by a three with :38 left to give the Wolves the three-point lead at the break.

Southwest came out in the second scoring the first ten points of the half and held Northern off the scoreboard until Tia Michalski hit a free throw 3:51 into the half.

The Mustangs then used runs of six and 14 to put the Wolves away for good and claim their eighth league win of the season.

Northern's Jessi Mostad was the lone Wolf to score in double-figures with 13 points on the night. Liza Sizer led NSU on the boards with five rebounds while Brooke Fandrich collected four.

Southwest State edged NSU with a 30-27 rebounding advantage while shooting 56 percent from the floor compared to Northern's 43.5 percent.

Lorrie Grems paced the Mustangs with a career high 22 points. She also led her team in rebounds with six on the night.

Northern State (8-13, 5-7 NSIC) play at Wayne State (Neb.) on Saturday night.