Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The host St. Cloud State University Huskies and the visiting Northern State University Wolves entered Friday's key Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match-up riding two very different streaks.  The Wolves had won six of their last seven – the lone loss coming at the hands of regionally ranked Augustana College one week ago – while the host Huskies had lost four of their last five games.

On Friday, however, it was a turning of the tables as the Huskies handed the Wolves a 76-66 loss, avenging an earlier loss to the Wolves on the opening weekend of NSIC play.

The loss drops the Wolves to an even 12-12 on the season and 8-12 in conference action, but not out of contention for the eighth and final spot in the post-season tournament.  NSU remains tied for eighth in the standings, as running-mate Southwest Minnesota State also fell 66-84 to Bemidji State.

SCSU, meanwhile, has secured its spot in the tournament, although final seedings remain to be determined.

The Huskies never trailed in Friday's contest, using a second-half surge to take the wind out of NSU's sails.  The Wolves had kept it close through the first 17 minutes despite going 1-for-9 from long range in the half.  SCSU, however, closed the half on a 7-0 run and led 35-24 at the break.

The Huskies took that lead and stretched it to as many as 19 in the second half.  NSU cut it back to single digits with just over a minute to go after a Derek Hoellein trey.  SCSU converted on 9 of 10 free throws in the final minute, however, to keep the Wolves at bay.

NSU sophomore Dustin Tetzlaff paced the Wolves with 18 points, while sophomore running mate Collin Pryor chipped in with 15.  Both men pulled down nine rebounds, just shy of adding another double-double performance to their season resumé.

SCSU's Andrew Bernstetter led four Huskies in double digits with his game-best 22 points and 16 rebounds.  Brett Putz chimed in with 15, while senior point guard Taylor Witt and fill-in starter Shaun Jensen finished with 12 and 11, respectively.  Putz and Witt combined for six straight free throws in the final 30 seconds of the game.

NSU was held to just 39.4 percent shooting on the night, including a 5-for-23 (21.7 percent) from long range.  SCSU was only slightly warmer from three-point range, going 4-for-15 (26.7 percent), but compensated with a 47.4 percent effort overall.

The Wolves resume the hunt for a tournament berth tomorrow, taking on the Golden Bears of Concordia University-St. Paul.  CSP suffered a 72-79 setback to No. 24 University of Mary on Friday night.  Saturday's contest is slated for a 6 p.m. tip-off following the conclusion of the women's contest.