ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State Wolves defeated the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs women's basketball team 74-64 behind a balanced scoring attack that would see all five starters score in double figures on Friday night in Wachs Arena.
 
SMSU couldn't find their stroke from deep, shooting 12.5 percent (3 of 24) from range, while NSU would finish shooting 50 percent (6 of 12) from three. 
 
SMSU ended the night shooting 35.2 percent (19 of 54) from the field and 48 percent (12 of 25) from the free throw line in the loss. Northern State shot 45.9 percent (28 of 61) from the field and 70.6 percent (12 of 17) from the free throw line in the victory. 
 
Abuk Akoi would lead the Mustangs offensively, picking up 13 points on 6 of 13 shooting while adding three rebounds. Sadie Stelter scored 12 points, leading the team with six rebounds and three assists in defeat. Meleah Reinhart also scored in double figures, scoring 12 points while adding five rebounds. 
 
NSU found production in their starters, with Rianna Fillipi, Haley Johnson, Kailee Oliverson, Lexi Roe, and Laurie Rogers combining for 71 of the 74 Wolves' points. 
 
Stelter opened the scoring with a three-point play before NSU would hit a three on their next possession to even the game at 3-3 in the first minute. Akoi would score six of the next eight Mustang points, spearheading an 8-2 SMSU run to grow their lead to 11-5. 
 
NSU countered with a 6-2 run of their own, and after a Sam Wall three to end the run, NSU would respond with seven of the next nine point, tying the game at 18-18 to close the first quarter. The quarter saw the pace that SMSU thrives for, as the two teams would combine for 30 shots and six steals.
 
NSU would lead 29-27 with 3:37 to go in the first half, scoring 11 of the first 20 points in the second quarter. The Wolves would break the game open, racing to a 38-28 lead, scoring nine of ten points in 1:18 of game time. The las 1:57 of the half was all Reinhart, as she scored the final five points to cut the NSU lead in half, going to the locker room down 38-33. 
 
The turning point would be in the third quarter, With NSU outscoring SMSU 20-10 to lead 58-43 heading into the fourth quarter. SMSU missed their first eight three pointers and first eight free throws to allow the Wolves to create separation. 
 
SMSU would outscore NSU 21-16 in the fourth quarter while finishing on a 12-1 run, but it wouldn't be enough to overcome the deficit.

Southwest Minnesota State returns to action next Friday, Jan. 21, taking on Minnesota Crookston with game time set for 5:30 p.m.