January 9, 2004

FREE THROWS LIFT WOLVES OVER SMSU

NSU's Jessi Mostad (left) guards SMSU's Alyssa Downing in the first half of Friday night's game.

Aberdeen, SD - Northern State used 20 free throws and 19 offensive rebounds to propel them to their third straight NSIC victory with a 59-56 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Friday night in Wachs Arena.

The Wolves fell behind by 11 in the first half, trailing 21-10 midway through the first period. NSU stepped up from then on going on a 22-7 run to end the half with a 32-28 advantage.

The Wolves held a slim advantage for most of the second, as well pushing their lead to seven with 2:36 to play. Following a pair of Mary Roddel free throws and a bucket by the SMSU senior, the Mustangs pulled within three with under a minute to play.

The Wolves committed two five-second violations down the stretch to allow Southwest to have an opportunity to send the games to extra frames but a Roddel three went in and out as the Wolves were able to hold on for a 59-56 win on their home floor.

NSU struggled from the floor shooting under 20 percent for most of the first half. The Wolves rebounded well in the second, bringing their percentage for the game to 32.0 on the night.

NSU, once again, dominated the glass coming down with 42 rebounds (19 offensive) while holding Southwest to 29 on the night.

Carin Rambow paced the Wolves with 14 points going 4-of-7 from three-point range while Michelle Hanson narrowly missed her third-straight double-double with eight points and a team high 13 rebounds (8 offensive).

NSU faces Wayne State on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Aberdeen.

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