Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Northern State University Wolves scored a season-low 15 points in the first half and were unable to dig themselves out of the hole, finding themselves down by as many as 29 in the second half before falling 69-47 to Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Central Region tournament, which began Saturday afternoon in SMSU's R/A Facility.

The Wolves were just 5 of 25 (20 percent) from the floor in the first half and did not get their fifth point until the 9:25 mark of the period.  The Mustangs, meanwhile, who do not have a single player averaging in double figures coming into the game, had a pair of players in double figures at the break in seniors Kevin Andrews and Ross DeMasi, who checked in with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Wolves also had trouble starting the second half, as they did not score until 15:50 left on the clock.  NSU did manage to cut the deficit to 15 at 50-35 midway through the second half, but could not sustain the momentum against a stingy SMSU defense.

The Mustangs, who entered the game ranked 15th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 62.0 points per game, showed why on Saturday.  SMSU forced the Wolves into 17 turnovers, 11 of which came in the first half.  The Mustangs also held NSU senior Kevin Ratzsch to just two points, well below his season average of 21.1.

The Wolves were led in scoring by Mitch Boeck (Arlington, S.D.), who had a pair of 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 11 points.  Sophomore Bojan Todorovic (Pozarevac, Serbia) added 10 points and 11 rebounds to record his second straight double-double and third of the season.

DeMasi finished with 15 points to lead three Mustangs in double figures.  Andrews added 14 and Scott Roehl finished with 13 points off the bench.  All but one player to see the floor finished in the scoring column for the host Mustangs, ranked 12th in the latest national poll.

The loss concludes an up-and-down season for the Wolves and also concludes the collegiate careers of Ratzsch and fellow senior Kyle Schwan (Aberdeen, S.D.).