ABERDEEN, S.D. —The game came down to the closing minutes Friday evening between #12 Minnesota State and Northern State, but it was the Wolves who were able to come away with the 72-69 win.

With the loss, MSU drops to 14-3 on the season, including a 10-3 NSIC record. With the win, NSU improves to 11-8, including a 6-7 NSIC record.

The scoring remained at a premium early on in the first quarter as the Wolves led 10-4 with 5:08 to go in the quarter. NSU would finish the quarter leading 19-10, as both junior Joey Batt and sophomore Destinee Bursch each scored four points for the Mavericks.

Midway through the second quarter the Wolves still held their seven-point lead at 25-18. NSU would go up by 13 at 31-18 with 3:18 to go in the half but the Mavericks would respond with a 15-4 run, including 10 points from freshman Natalie Bremer, to cut NSU's lead to 35-33 at halftime.

Bremer led the Mavericks in the first half with 13 points as MSU forced 17 NSU turnovers.

Jordyn Hilgemann led all scorers in the first half with 16 points. As a team, the Wolves shot 46.4% from the field in the first half.

A three pointer from junior Emily Herzberg in the opening seconds of the third quarter gave the Mavericks their first lead of the game at 36-35. The Mavericks would hold the lead through the rest of the quarter as they led 52-51 at the end of the third. Bremer scored 10 of MSU's 19 points in the third quarter.

NSU opened the fourth quarter with a pair of baskets to take a 55-52 lead. The Mavericks would regain the lead at 60-59 after a layup from Batt with 5:07 to go, but the Wolves would get the game's next six points over the next four minutes to take a 65-60 lead with 1:11 remaining. NSU would maintain at least a three-point lead the rest of the way as it secured the 72-69 win.

Bremer finished with a career-high 25 points, which included a 9-of-10 performance from the free throw line. Batt notched 18 points and four steals as well.

As a team, MSU shot 29.9% from the field. The Mavericks also forced 29 turnovers and recorded 15 steals.

Laurie Rogers led the Wolves with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Kailee Oliverson posted 17 points and 12 rebounds.

As a team, NSU shot 42.6% from the field. The Wolves also cashed in on 25-of-32 (.781) shots from the free throw line.

Minnesota State concludes its road trip on Saturday as it takes on MSU Moorhead. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

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