December 13, 2003

COYOTES DEFEAT NORTHERN STATE, 70-59

ABERDEEN, S.D. - For the third straight game in a row, the Northern State women's basketball team took on a top 5 opponent and for the third straight game, the Wolves came up just short of knocking that opponent off as No. 4 South Dakota held off NSU 70-59 in Wachs Arena on Saturday.

The Coyotes built a lead as large a ten points in the first half before the Wolves crept back into things trailing by just three at the halftime break, 39-36.

USD extended that lead to double-figures once again with a 52-42 advantage with 13:12 left to play before the Wolves made a 9-2 run to cut the lead to three with 9:01 left on the clock.

The Coyotes answered quickly with a 5-0 run and thwarted NSU's efforts to get back into things as USD held on for a 70-59 win in Wachs Arena.

NSU's Michelle Hanson connected for a career high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting on the night. The junior completed the second double-double of her career adding ten rebounds on the night to lead both teams in the category.

Ali Chmielewski, starting for the injured Carin Rambow, made good on three long range shots to notch 11 points on the evening to round out Wolves in double-figures.

USD's Meghan Woster led all scorers with 24 points while Mandy Koupal followed with 18 points and seven rebounds for the Coyotes.

NSU shot just over 39 percent from the floor on the night and owned the glass outrebounding the No. 4 Coyotes 42-24 in the game. The Wolves committed 20 turnovers while forcing just ten on USD.

Northern State (5-4) hosts Augustana on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. in Wachs Arena.

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