Aberdeen, S.D. – It was a gritty battle for the No. 13 Northern State University men's basketball team on Friday evening, as the Wolves defeated the Marauders of U-Mary 71-55. Northern legged out their 14^th straight victory, improving to 15-1 overall and 9-0 in the NSIC.
 
The first 20 minutes of action was a back and forth battle with six lead changes and neither team leading by more than five until under a minute to go. Northern captured the 2-point lead with 2:18 left in the half, and added some padding as the clock ticked under 30 seconds. Two and-1 plays by Darin Peterka and Ian Smith gave the Wolves the 36-28 lead heading into the second half.
 
Northern quickly ran away with the game in the second, out-scoring the Marauders 35-27. Their largest lead of 19 points, came with just under four minutes remaining in regulation. NSU displayed a stronger defensive presence in the second, holding U-Mary to a 38.1 field goal percent and 12.5 3-point percentage.
 
As a team, the Wolves shot 48.1 percent from the floor and 70.0 percent from the foul line, while knocking down five made 3-pointers. They were out-rebounded by the Marauders 33-30, however tallied 17 team assists and forced 15 Marauder turnovers. Northern tallied a game leading 40 points in the paint, and added 16 points off turnovers, 12 points off the bench, nine second chance points, and four fast break points.
 
Ian Smith led the team offensively with 21 points and six assists, while notching a team leading two steals on defense. The junior shot 77.8 percent from the floor and knocked down 6-of-9 from the foul line. Darin Peterka followed close behind with 18 points of his own, including a team leading three made long range buckets. DJ Pollard was the final Wolves in double figures notching 11 points, as well as a team second best six rebounds.
 
The NSU big men got in foul trouble early and battled under the basket, notching a combined 13 points in the game. Logan Doyle tallied nine points, three rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal for the Wolves, while shooting a team leading 80.0 percent from the floor. Carter Evans led the team off the bench with four points, while adding two assists and one block.
 
Bo Fries proved to be a rebounding asset in the win, with a team leading and season high seven. The junior added three point and two assists for the Wolves. Andrew Kallman and Justin Decker each tallied two points, while Logan LeGrand tallied a made free throw in the fourth. Kallman added one of the team's five steals, as well as one block and one assist.
 
NSU will be back in action tomorrow evening against (RV) Minot State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Wachs Arena.