Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Video | Listen Live
Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern State University men's basketball team is set for a pair of match-ups with Friday and Saturday with NSIC South Division opponents Southwest Minnesota State and University of Sioux Falls. The men will tip-off with the Mustangs, Friday at 8 p.m., and return for a 6 p.m. tip on Saturday versus the Cougars. 

Northern enters the weekend after a spilt at home versus Minot State (86-71) and U-Mary (94-70) a week ago. The Wolves are shooting 48.0% from the floor, 41.6% from 3-point range, and 71.3% from the foul line this season. Darin Peterka led the Wolves over the last weekend averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, six assists, and 3.5 steals while shooting 60.8% from the floor. He is currently leading the team in scoring at 15.8 points per game, and is second on the team in rebounding at 5.9 boards per game. Carter Evans and Darin Peterka sit sixth and seventh in the league in rebounding averaging 7.5 and 6.8 rebounds per game respectively. Peterka is also top-10 in scoring, free-throw percentage, steals, and defensive rebounds.

About the Mustangs
    • Southwest enters the match-up with an 8-7 record overall and 4-6 record in league action, while being on a three game loss streak. 
    • The Mustangs are led by head coach Brad Bigler in his seventh season at the helm with a career record of 95-80. 
    • As a unit, SMSU is shooting 48.4% from the floor, 34.2% from 3-point range, and 74.0% from the foul line. 
    • Mitch Weg leads the team averaging 7.5 rebounds per game, and sits atop the NSIC in offensive boards averaging 3.5 per game. 

Last Match-Up
    • Southwest Minnesota took the non-conference match-up this season in overtime 111-105. 
    • Spencer Pankonin led NSU with 26 points, while all five starters were in double-digits. 
    • The two teams battle throughout, however SMSU recorded 18 points off turnovers and 37 points off the bench.  

About the Cougars
    • USF is 10-6 overall and 5-5 in league action with a third spot in the NSIC South. 
    • Sioux Falls is shooting 46.8% from the floor, 36.1% from 3-point range, and 67.3% from the foul line this season. 
    • Mack Johnson is leading the team averaging 16.0 points per game. 
    • It is a team effort on the boards this season for USF, as no player is about 5.0 rebounds per game, however the Cougars are out-rebounding their opponents by 2.4 boards per game. 
    • The Cougars are led by head coach Chris Johnson in his eighth season with the program. Johnson has recorded a career record of 140-107 at USF. 

Last Match-Up
    • The Wolves defeated the Cougars in both outings a season ago. Taking the conference match-up 65-54 on the road and the first round of the NSIC Tournament 73-62 at home. 
    • DJ Pollard and Darin Peterka were second on the team with 17 points each in the home victory. 
    • Northern out-shot USF in each victory, 32.3%-to-30.0% (away) and 44.9%-to-40.9% (home).