Duluth, Minn. – It was a balanced offensive effort for the No. 8 Northern State University men's basketball team who defeated Minnesota Duluth 92-71. A total of six Wolves scored in double figures as NSU improves to 20-2 overall and 14-1 in the league.
Duluth scored first in the game, however that would be the only lead they would hold as the Wolves took control of the game with 13:10 left in the first. Northern led by 15 at the half as the scoreboard read 44-29, and pounded out another 48 points in the second.
NSU shot 55.6 percent from the floor, 42.1 percent from the 3-point line, and 77.8 percent from the foul line in the win. A defensive presence from the Wolves led UMD to shot 39.0 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from the arc. Northern out-rebounded Duluth 46-23 in the game, notching 19 second chance points off of 15 offensive rebounds.
The Wolves totaled 40 points in the paint, 35 points off the bench, and six points off turnovers. As a team they combined for 15 assists, eight made 3-pointers, three blocks, and two steals. NSU held their largest lead of the contest, 28 points, with 5:35 to play in regulation. The 21-point victory is the Wolves sixth 20-plus point win and 16
th double figure victory of the season.
DJ Pollard and
Logan Doyle led the team with 16 points apiece, followed by
Ian Smith,
Carter Evans, and
Andrew Kallman with 14.
Cole Dahl rounded out the double-figure scorers with ten points in the first start of his career.
Gabe King and
Ethan Kranhold each tallied three points, while
Justin Decker notched two.
Doyle tallied his second double-double of the season notching a team high ten rebounds. He added two assists, one block, and shot 87.5 percent from the floor. Evans nearly notched a double-double of his own with nine rebounds. He added a team leading six assists, as well as one block and a 77.8 field goal percentage.
Smith, Dahl, and Doyle each notched two assists for the team, while Pollard and King tallied one. Kallman led the team with three made long range baskets, while Smith tallied two. Pollard and Dahl notched seven and five rebounds respectively, followed by Kallman and Smith with four each.
Northern returns to Wachs Arena next Friday and Saturday for two cross divisional match-ups with Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State over the I Hate Winter Weekend. The Wolves will tip-off with the Cougars at 8 p.m. on Friday and the Mustangs at 6 p.m. on Saturday. For full #IHateWinter18 information click here.
