Box Score Wayne State 81 Northern State 73

            Wayne State used a 30-point fourth quarter to rally in the final period for a 81-73 win at Northern State Sunday afternoon in a non-conference women's basketball game played in Wachs Arena.  The win by WSC avenged a 77-53 loss to the NSU one day earlier, leaving both teams 1-1 on the season.
            The Wildcats got off to a strong start in the second matchup in two days against the Wolves, making 8 of 17 shots from the field while building a pair of seven point leads in the first quarter before finishing with an 18-17 lead. 
            The second quarter saw senior forward Erin Norling catch fire for the Wildcats, scoring 10 points in the quarter, as WSC maintained their advantage over the Wolves.
            WSC took their biggest lead of the quarter at 38-32 on a Norling trey with 2:13 to play in the half and finished with a 40-38 lead at intermission.
            Northern State gained momentum in the third quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 17-11, as the Wolves took a 55-51 lead.  WSC hit just 4 of 14 shots in the quarter.
            But the Wildcats stormed back in the final quarter, pouring in 30 points, to rally for an 81-73 win.
            Wayne State trailed early in the quarter until taking the lead for good at 58-56 on an Autumn Mlinar 3-pointer with 7:30 to play.
            Two minutes later, the 'Cats used back-to-back treys from Norling and Mlinar to take a 68-58 lead. 
            Northern State closed within five at 73-68 with 1:24 remaining, but the 'Cats sealed the win making 8 of 10 free throws in the final minute as Wayne State completed the comeback and earned a weekend split.
            Norling led Wayne State in scoring with a game-high 28 points, her 18^th career game of 20 or more points.  Halley Busse finished with 18 points while Mlinar added a career-high 14 that included a perfect 4 of 4 behind the arc.  Senior center Brittany Bongartz added 13 points in the win.
            Wayne State finished the game making 29 of 62 shots for 46.8 percent, including 11 of 31 from the 3-point line.  WSC was also 12 of 18 at the free throw line.
            Lexi Wadsworth scored 18 points for Northern State.  Rianna Fillipi and Laurie Rogers each scored 12 with Joie Spier adding 11.
            NSU made 24 of 64 shots for 37.5 percent and was 4 for 19 from the 3-point line while sinking 21 of 27 free throws.
            Northern State held a slight 39-34 edge in rebounding over WSC as Josey Ryan led the 'Cats on the glass with eight boards. 
            Erin Norling was credited with five assists while sophomore reserve center Awoti Akoi had four blocked shots.
            The Wildcats will be at home next weekend, hosting Concordia-St. Paul Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Rice Auditorium.