By: NSU Sports Information

Aberdeen, S.D. – With a 14 points victory over University of Mary, the Northern State University women's basketball team has clinched the NSIC north division. The Wolves improve to 20-5 overall and 16-5 in the conference after the 73-59 win over the Marauders. Earlier this week the Wolves posted a No.22 national ranking and No.7 regional ranking. 

Along with clinching the north division title, the Wolves have secured a home match-up in the first round of the NSIC Conference Tournament. The game will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday February 26^th from Wachs Arena with the opponent to be determined this weekend.

Northern's starting line-up combined for 61 points in the win, led by senior Alison Kusler who tabbed 14 and went 9-10 from the free-throw line. Junior Rachel Krogman was hot from all areas of the floor, scoring 13 points and bringing down ten rebounds for another season double-double. Sadie Stotesbery was almost the mirror reflection of Krogman on the night, dropping 13 points and connecting for four assists. The final starters for NSU, Megan Mutchler and Kara Hofschild, notched 12 and nine points respectively in the win.

Bench players MacKinzie Magner and Paige Waytashek added a combined 12 points for the Wolves in the win. As a team, NSU shot a season high 89.3 percent from the free-throw line with no player missing more than one shot. The Wolves led the game in its entirety with their largest lead coming only minutes before the final buzzer at a 15 point spread. The Wolves forced 13 Marauder turnovers which resulted in 16 points in the game; while NSU held themselves to only eight turnovers given up for six U-Mary points.

The bread and butter for the Wolves this season has been strong play in the paint and aggressive team rebounding. Tonight was no different as Northern hit the glass for 45 team rebounds and scored 13 second chance points. The NSU post players also accounted for 22 points in the paint. Strong defense by the Wolves, held the Marauders to a field goal percentage of 29.9 in the game and 22.22 in the first half of play.

NSU will be back in action tomorrow from Wachs Arena to return the favor to the visiting Minot Beavers who defeated the Wolves earlier this season. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. between the two teams along with continued "I Hate Winter" festivities throughout the night.