Box Score Box Score
Sather Post-Game Comments

ABERDEEN, S.D. - Northern State was 0-for-8 from long range in the first half, but sophomore Michael Emge and Jared Hannigan hit big treys in big moments, while senior forwards Collin Pryor and Dustin Tetzlaff combined for 39 of NSU's 69 points as NSU claimed a hard-fought, physical 69-66 win over MSU Moorhead Saturday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball action.

The win, NSU's fifth straight, moves the Wolves to 5-2 overall and 1-0 on the young NSIC slate while the Dragons suffered their first loss of the season and now stand at 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the loop.

In a game that featured seven ties and 11 lead changes, it was NSU that held the most important lead - the final one.  After snagging a 26-20 lead with less than a minute left in the first half, NSU watched that lead slip away after the Dragons scored the last five points of the first half and eight of the first nine of the second, turning what was a six-point deficit into a six-point advantage in less than five minutes of clock time.

The Dragons would extend that lead to eight on two occasions before the Wolves worked their way back into the lead.  Pryor, senior guard Geoffrey Firmin and Hannigan combined for seven straight points to make it a one-point game at the midway point of the second half.  The two teams then played hot-potato with the lead for the next eight and a half minutes before Hannigan canned his second trey of the night as the shot clock was winding down to give the Wolves the lead for good.  

MSU Moorhead misfired on a three-point attempt at the other end and was forced to foul to stop the clock with just over 30 seconds left in the game.  NSU converted on six of eight free throws down the stretch - finishing the night 15-for-25 from the line - to ice the game.  

The Dragons' Anthony Tucker drilled a half court shot at the buzzer to make it a 69-66 final, but did not affect the final outcome.

Pryor finished his night with 21 points, while Tetzlaff added 18.  Both players snagged seven rebounds.  Hannigan finished with 11 points and three assists off the bench, while Emge chipped in an even 10 points.

Tucker led the Dragons with 16 points, while Jordan Riewer added 13.  Preseason NSIC North Division Player of the Year Alex Novak was held to eight points and 10 rebounds, hampered by foul trouble.

The NSU defense also badgered the Dragons into 16 turnovers, six of those from Tucker.  Firmin had four steals, while Tetzlaff had three.

The Wolves continue NSIC play next weekend, going on the road to face U-Mary and Minot State.  Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. in Bismarck on Friday night and 6 p.m. on Saturday in Minot.