Photo Gallery

Northern State shot 62 percent (18-for-29) from the field in the second half and scored 45 points on its way to an 80-67 victory Saturday night over Upper Iowa in NSIC men's basketball action. The Wolves overcame a sluggish start to the game as they shot just 39 percent in the first half and started off the game just 1-for-12 from the field.

Northern (12-2, 6-2 NSIC) played a solid game defensively, holding the Peacocks (8-6, 4-4 NSIC) to just 33 percent shooting (19-for-58) and 8-for-29 (27.6 percent) from three-point range. UIU's 67 points are also 17 points less than what it averaged coming into the contest. The Peacocks are the league's second-highest scoring team on the season.

Both teams got off to slow starts Saturday night, but once Upper Iowa found a bit of a rhythm it started to open up a lead on the Wolves, leading by as many as 11 points at 16-5 with 11:46 to go in the opening half. Trailing by 10 with 6:30 left to play in the half, Northern started to hit open shots and closed the half on a 19-12 run and trailed at the break 38-35.

Tied at 45 each with 16:27 left to play, the Wolves went on a 15-3 run and opened up a 60-48 edge with 11:30 left in the contest. From there, Northern controlled the rest of the game, leading by double digits most of the way and even pushed its lead up to as many as 18 with just under four minutes left to play. The win moves NSU to 7-2 when trailing at halftime this season.

The Wolves used a balanced attack offensively and were led by Seth Bachand's 15 points and eight rebounds in the win. Bachand went 7-for-12 from the field including a pair of rim-rattling dunks that helped spark the Wolves offense. Tydan Storrusten added 14 points, a game-high six assists and two steals in the contest while Darin Peterka and Skye Warwick each added 10 points apiece.

DJ Pollard had a nice all-around game scoring nine points, grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists and also had a pair of blocks and a steal in the win. Spencer Pankonin chipped in with eight points and Mitch White added five points, seven boards, two blocks and a steal on the night as well.

Northern clobbered the Peacocks on the glass, 47-28 and also had an 18-12 edge in second-chance points. The 47 rebounds are a team-high on the season for the Wolves. NSU also controlled the paint, scoring 42 points inside while Upper Iowa had just 20 points in the paint. The Peacocks did however score 18 points off 18 Northern turnovers while committing just nine of their own. Bench points were very even on the night as UIU scored 29 and the Northern reserves had 27 points.

The Wolves will now play four straight on the road beginning next weekend at Minot State on Friday and U-Mary Saturday. Northern won both meetings earlier this season with the two teams in Aberdeen, beating Mary 86-79 and Minot 83-72.