Tempe, Ariz. – The Northern State University men's basketball team gave the Arizona State Sun Devils a run for their money in exhibition play, forcing the game into two overtime periods. The Wolves ultimately fell in the match-up 98-90, to a tough Pac-12 opponent.
 
Northern got into foul trouble early in the first half however battled back to keep within striking distance. Through the 50 minutes of play the two teams were tied nine times, with a total of 15 lead changes. Statistically the Wolves topped the Sun Devils in multiple categories including field goal percentage (50.0-40.5), 3-point field goal percentage (35.7-30.4), free throw percentage (94.1-67.5), rebounds (50-36), assists (22-15), and blocks (5-2).
 
NSU committed 31 personal fouls, resulting in 27 points off free throws for ASU, which made the difference in the game. Northern also suffered 33 turnovers, giving up 30 total points. The Wolves led the two teams with 25 points off the bench, adding 11 points off turnovers and another 11 second chance points.
 
Ian Smith led three scorers in double figures with 22 points. The junior went 9-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the arc while adding six rebounds, three assists, and a team leading four steals. Logan Doyle was second on the team with 18 points, while recording ten rebounds in his first double-double of the season. Doyle was perfect from the foul line with eight points, while shooting 83.3 percent from the floor. DJ Pollard added 12 points to the team total through 33 minutes of play after fouling out in the second half. Pollard was also perfect from the foul line with seven points, adding five rebounds and three assists.
 
Justin Decker, Darin Peterka, and Carter Evans were fourth on the team with eight points each. Evans added a team second best nine rebounds and three assists, while Decker notched three rebounds and two assists. Peterka dished out a team leading four assists, adding four rebounds as well. Bo Fries and Gabe King followed with seven and five points respectively, while Cole Dahl rounded out the team total with two.
 
The Wolves open regular season play on November 10^th versus Washburn at the Missouri Western Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. between the two teams from St. Joseph.