SIOUX FALLS – Despite a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Basketball Team (15-4, 11-4 NSIC) dropped a heartbreaker to in-state rival Northern State, 63-62 at the Stewart Center on Friday night.

With the setback, USF dropped to 15-4 overall and 11-4 in the NSIC. Northern State improved to 14-5 overall and 10-5 in the NSIC.

In the NSIC North-South matchup, the Wolves jumped up a 19-11 lead before USF rallied to take a 48-43 lead with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter. In a game that that included 14 ties and 13 lead changes, the final five minutes went back and forth. NSU prevailed when a free throw by Brynn Flakus with a minute to play held up for a 63-62 win. The Cougars had a shot at the end but the jumper by Brooke Smith, who had 11 points, three rebounds and two steals, was off line as time expired.

Aside from Smith, USF senior guard Alyson Johnson added 11 points with two assists and two rebounds. Senior guard Madi Robson also reached double figures with 10 points, adding five assists and two rebounds in 27 minutes, despite behind troubled by foul trouble all night. Both Robson and Sam Knecht, who had seven points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, fouled out. NSU center Miranda Ristau, who had a game-high 23 points with eight rebounds and three blocked shots, also fouled out.

USF was 21-of-59 from the floor for just 35.6 percent but made 9-of-21 three-pointers, including three from Kaely Hummel, who had nine points. USF, which lost the rebound battle, 37-31, had seven steals and four blocked shots. NSU made 22-of-46 field goals for 47.8 percent. They hit 4-of-9 from three point range. Significantly, NSU had the edge with a 24-10 margin of points in the paint.

USF jumped out quickly on NSU, rushing to a 4-2 lead after a jumper from Robson, who had issues with fouls and played just seven minutes in the first half. After an early rush from USF, the Wolves rebounded to move into a 14-9 lead when Jessi Marti knocked down a three-pointer with 3:51 to play in the first quarter.  Eventually, NSU built a 19-11 lead after a foul shot by Ristau.

However, Smith, who scored five points in the opening half, hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 19-14 at the quarter break.

The Cougars started the second quarter fast as an 8-1 run in the opening five minutes provided the Cougars with a 22-20 advantage with 5:17 to go. It was USF's first lead since the 5:50 mark of the first quarter (8-7, Jacey Huinker jumper).  Once again, the Wolves rebounded, using an 8-to-3 run for a 28-25 advantage with 3:46 to play in the quarter. Andi Mataloni dropped in a three-point shot to pull the Cougars within 30-28 at the 1:32 mark. NSU's Bethany Crosswait made a free throw (1:15) to give the Wolves a 31-28 lead at halftime.

After the opening two quarters, USF was 11-of-30 from the field for 36 percent, including 4-of-8 from three point range. NSU, which hit 11-of-20 from the floor for 55 percent and 4-of-6 from three point range for 67 percent, won the rebound battle, 18-15. NSU was led by Ristau with eight points. Kaely Hummel had six for USF.

NSU pushed the lead to 35-30 in the third quarter before USF took off an 11-0 run. The run was keyed by Johnsen, who hit a pair of three pointers and a jumper, while Robson added a triple as the Cougars took a 41-35 lead.  Johnsen hit a free throw for a 43-38 lead with a minute to go.

Early in the fourth quarter, Hummel knocked down a three and, after a NSU foul, USF kept possession. Subsequently, Knecht drove for a basket and a 48-43 advantage. NSU responded with five straight to tie the game at 48-48 when Ristau converted a three-point play. The game went back and forth with Smith connecting on four straight free throws as USF took a 54-52 lead with 5:35 to play in the game. Robson had a drive, score "and 1" for a 58-57 lead over NSU with 3:11 to play. But the Wolves scored four straight to take a 61-58 advantage with 2:08 left. But USF had an answer as Mataloni tied the game at 61 on a three with 1:52 on the clock.

With the game knotted at 62, Brynn Flakus was fouled and made 1-of-2 free throws which held up as NSU stopped a three-game losing skein to USF, which fell to 10-2 at home.

Next for USF will be a home game against NSIC leader and #16 MSU Moorhead on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Stewart Center.