Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team returns to Don Meyer Court Monday evening for a 7 p.m. contest with Black Hills State University. The Wolves are currently 3-1 this season with four non-conference games remaining.
Northern was picked first in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, and downed the second picked Mustangs 81-68 on their home court last Wednesday. The Wolves are shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, 32.1 percent from the arc, and 74.5 percent from the foul line, averaging 69.2 points, 35.2 rebounds, 11.8 assists, 13.8 turnovers, 6.5 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game this season. NSU is coming off a two game win streak in non-conference play against Southwest Minnesota State and University of Jamestown. The Wolves out-shot and out-rebounded both the Mustangs and Jimmies in the two wins, scoring a combined 148 points. Carter Evans is leading three Wolves in double figures, averaging 14.5 points per game off the bench. Ian Smith and Logan Doyle follow averaging 12.3 and 10.8 points per game, while Doyle and Evans both hold a team leading 6.5 rebounds per game. Doyle is shooting a team leading 67.9 percent from the floor, while DJ Pollard is leading the team shooting 55.6 percent from the arc. Gabe King has recently stepped into a starting role, averaging 5.0 points per game. He has become a key component of the Wolves defense, sitting second on the team with six blocks. Darin Peterka continues to inch one step closer to the NSU 1000 point club, with 36 total points this season. The senior currently has 984 on his career, averaging 9.0 per game.
About the Yellow Jackets
• Black Hills State enters the match-up with the Wolves with two wins over Yellowstone Christian College, and a game against Johnson & Wales University.
• The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 9-19 season overall in 2016-17.
• BHSU returns three starters from a season ago in Malcom Fraser, Zach McLemore and Patrick Mendes.
• Black Hill State was picked 11th overall in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Through the first two games of the season, the Yellow Jackets are shooting 53.0 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from the arc, adn 63.2 percent from the foul line while averaging 92.5 points, 41.5 rebounds, 17.0 assists, 11.5 turnovers, 9.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game.
• Makaleb McInnis is leading the team averaging 16.5 points per game, while Stefan Desnica is pulling down a team leading 7.0 rebounds per game.
• BHSU is led by head coach Jeff Trumbauer in his fourth season at the helm.
Last Match-Up
• Northern defeated Black Hills 82-76 in overtime a season ago.
• Mack Arvidson led the team with 23 points, followed by Logan Doyle and Gabe King with 18 and 12 respectively.
• Northern shot 44.6 percent from the floor and out-rebounded BHSU 43-36.
• The Wolves are 58-20 all-time against the Yellow Jackets, and currently on an 8-game win streak.
