BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Wolves outscored the Beavers of Bemidji State 39-24 in the second half as they cruised to an 81-61 road win on Friday night.  Northern improves to 15-1 on the season and 6-1 in the NSIC and increases their winning streak to nine games.  The win also puts head coach Don Meyer's career win total at 877, giving him sole possession of third place on the NCAA all-time win list.

The Wolves took their first lead of the game at the 5:45 mark of the first half with a three-pointer from Luke Wicks.  The Beavers shot 57.7% from the field (15-26) in the half to hang with Northern, but the Wolves edged them out with a 64.0% shooting mark (16-25).  NSU led 42-37 at the half.

Northern continued to shoot well in the second half and they tightened up their pressure on the Beavers to force a lower shooting mark and keep Bemidji on their heels.  Northern opened the half with a 10-2 run, hitting 5-of-7 field goals.  Wicks capped the run with another long range shot to put NSU up 52-41.  The Wolves led by double digits for the majority of the half.  Bemidji was down by as few as eight points with 3:21 to play, but the Wolves kept them scoreless for the remainder of the game.  Northern streaked off 12 more points before taking the final 81-61 win.

The Wolves had four players finish in double figures for scoring.  Kevin Ratzsch led the squad with 20 points, hitting a trio of three-pointers.  Levi Hamilton scored a season high 19 points from 8-of-12 shooting, while Wicks hit five threes on the night and had 17 total points.  Kyle Schwan added 14 points, hitting 6-of-11 from the field.  Ratzsch, Wicks, and Dan Magrino each pulled down a game high five boards.

The Wolves shot 53.4% from the field and 53.3% from beyond the arc.  They out-rebounded the Beavers 35-25 on the night.  

Bemidji State shot 49.0% from the field.  Arron Evans topped the Bemidji scoring list with 16 points and also had seven rebounds.  Alex Smith shot 7-of-9 from the field on his way to 14 points and led the squad with eight rebounds.

Northern takes on Minnesota, Crookston on Saturday at 8:00 p.m.