Once Northern State figured out the pace, it was just a matter of time before it solved the riddle of defeating Minnesota State Friday night.

The Wolves overcame an early 15-point deficit and snapped the 13-game winning of the top team in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and sixth-rated team in the country with a convincing 93-82 women’s basketball victory in front of frenzied courtside fans on I Hate Winter weekend at Wachs Arena,

“Our kids are really confident,” said NSU coach Paula Krueger, “and when you can put three point guards on the floor at a time, which we had at all times tonight, that helps out.”

It appeared it might be a long night the Wolves as the visitors bolted out to 15-2 lead just five minutes the game with their pressure defense. However, Northern slowly adjusted and got back into the contest.

“They have a very aggressive press and defensive scheme,” said Northern’s Izzy Moore. “Once we settled in, we were able to slow down a little bit and do our thing, and when we do our thing, good things happen and we can overcome any kind of lead.”

It was NSU point guard Rianna Fillipi that kept the Wolves afloat in the early the part of the game. At one stage, Fillipi had scored nine points and accounted for six more on assists to help Northern weather the storm.

“We had to catch up to the speed of the game. You saw Rio kind of say, OK guys get on my back. I got this until you come with me,” Krueger said, “and then everybody else stepped up and she got to kind of fade back into the woodwork and just handle the ball and find people to pass to.”

While Fillipi may not be a huge vocal leader, she definitely sets the tone for the squad.

“Rio does a great job as a point guard of bringing everyone together,” said teammate Michaela Jewett. “She may not be very loud, but when she talks everyone listens. She did a great job, in the first half especially. She was the one that kept us in the game.”

Jewett also had her fingerprints all over the game, nailing four 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 28 points, in addition to hauling down 10 rebounds.

“We took high quality shots,” Krueger said, “and when Michaela Jewett goes 4 for 7 from the three, with 28 points and 10 rebounds, and another double-double, we’re going to be hard to beat.”

The Wolves steadily pulled away down the stretch, leading by as much as 79-61 at one stage on the way to the victory.

Northern had just 14 turnovers against the constant pressure defense of the Mavericks.

“I think we had 14 turnovers which is insane against a team like that,” said Moore, who scored all 18 of her points in the second half. “When you just slow down and you make the right plays, you get the ball to the middle instead of trying to overdrive and dribble, that’s when bad things happen.”

Fillipi finished with 21 points, Morgan Fiedler added 12, and Madelyn Bragg contributed 11.

The I Hate Winter atmosphere was a first for both Moore and Jewett, who definitely enjoyed the experience.

“It’s insane, incredible,” Moore said. “I’ve never played in an atmosphere like that, so it was really fun.”

With student body members lined up along the baseline right next to the floor, it provided for a memorable environment.

“I remember I was talking to Alyana (Benike) and I was like I don’t even know what to expect and it exceeded all my expectations,” Jewett said. “Oh my gosh, it was awesome. The crowd was great. Thankfully so many people came and it’s just such a fun atmosphere.”

Another I Hate Winter crowd will be on hand for tonight’s contest against Winona State at 6 p.m.

Krueger said the Wolves, 12-7 on the season, will need to be ready for the Warriors.

“We’ve got work to do (Saturday). Winona’s no slouch, so we’ve got to get ourselves ready to play,” Krueger said. “This can work two ways. Your energy can carry into the second game and you can be really good, or it can suck the wind out of your sails and you can go and you can stink. We can’t afford to stub our toe.”

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

https://nsuwolves.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2024-25/-6-minnesota-state/boxscore/13744