St. Joseph, Mo. – The Northern State University men's basketball team dropped their second game of the season, 71-60 to No. 1 Northwest Missouri State. The Wolves drop to 1-1 overall after a battle with the defending national champions.
 
The Wolves jumped out to a quick start, taking the lead in the first few minutes of play, however the Bearcats took over from there. Northern sat within two at halftime, however Northwest broke things open in the second half leading by as much as 16 with just under three minutes in the contest.
 
The Wolves shot 46.3 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from the arc, and 66.7 percent from the foul line in the game. They tallied a game leading 22 points off the bench, as well as 32 points in the paint, 11 second chance points, and eight points off turnovers.
 
Carter Evans led the team in the game and off the bench with 14 points. The senior shot 53.8 percent from the floor, adding a team leading five rebounds and three blocks as well. DJ Pollard was second on the team with 13 points, shooting at a 55.5 percent clip. Pollard added two rebounds and two assists.
 
Ian Smith and Darin Peterka followed close behind with nine and eight points respectively. Smith knocked down 4-of-7 from the floor and led the team with four assists, and matched Evans team leading of five rebounds. Peterka added five rebounds of his own, as well as a team leading three steals.
 
Logan Doyle and Justin Decker rounded out the starters with six and two points respectively. Doyle was second on the team with four rebounds and two assists. Bo Fries and Gabe King added five and three points each, playing a combined 35 minutes.
 
The Wolves return to action this Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. match-up against Southwest Minnesota State in non-conference play on the road. Northern will then return home for the 2017 Wachs Arena opener against Jamestown at 7 p.m. on Friday the 17^th.