Northern State led for just a brief portion Saturday afternoon, but it was the most important minutes of the game.

The Wolves outscored Sioux Falls 24-6 in the final quarter to record a 53-49 women’s basketball victory in the Dacotah Bank Classic at Wachs Arena.

NSU trailed 39-24 at one stage of the second half before the offense caught fire.

Brynn Alfson scored 11 of her 13 points during the last 10 minutes, as the Wolves steadily cut into the deficit. Alfson eventually put Northern over the top with her basket with 1:04 remaining, before Rianna Fillipi provided the finishing touch with a three-point field goal with 26 seconds left.

The ending was a stark contrast from the beginning when the Wolves managed just four points in the opening quarter and were forced to play from behind the rest of the way.

Alfson finished with career highs in points (13), rebounds (15) and assists (4). The former Hamlin player had a big day for the Wolves, while another former Charger standout Kami Wadsworth powered the Cougars. The freshman scored a game-high 16 points for USF.

Fillipi, who had six points in the fourth quarter, and Madelyn Bragg, who had five points in the final period, both finished with 13 points for Northern.

The Wolves, 5-1 on the season, take on Parkside on Monday in Marshall, Minn., before returning to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action when they host Minnesota State, Moorhead at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

To see a complete box score from Saturday’s game, click on the following link:

https://nsuwolves.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/sioux-falls/boxscore/13339