November 21 , 2003

WOLVES GIVE TOP-RANKED COYOTES ALL THEY CAN HANDLE

VERMILLION, SD - Northern State came ever so close to knocking off the top-ranked South Dakota Coyotes on their home floor on Friday night falling 70-66 in season-opening action.

The Wolves fell behind 10-3 early on but staged an 8-0 run to overtake the lead at 11-10 with 11:30 left in the first period. The lead would go back-and-forth three more times until the halftime gun sounded with the score knotted at 35-all.

The Coyotes held a slim advantage through most of the second period including a ten-point, 65-55 lead with just 4:32 to play. But NSU rallied with a 9-1 run to cut the score to 66-64 with 1:03 left in the game.

USD's Stacy Schooley hit two free throws that were countered by free throws from NSU's Ali Chmielewski and Carin Rambow to keep the game a two-point affair with :33 left in the contest.

After a missed free throw by the Coyotes, Mandy Koupal was able to gain control of an offensive rebound and draw the foul with :05 to play. The NCAA II Preseason Player of the Year would drain both free throws to end the game at 70-66.

NSU center Michelle Hanson led the Wolves scoring 13 points and grabbing a team high nine rebounds. Sophomore Sara Jensen added ten points and a team high five assists to help the NSU cause on the night.

Northern shot at a 42.3 percent clip while outrebounding the Coyotes 45-27. NSU committed 17 turnovers while USD lost the ball just seven times on the night.

The Wolves will continue play on Saturday night in Vermillion when they take on Nebraska-Omaha at 6 p.m.

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