Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 18 Northern State University men's basketball team capped of the inaugural Dacotah Bank Thanksgiving Classic with a 66-62 win over Chadron State on Saturday. The Wolves move to 4-2 overall, heading into NSIC action.
 
The Wolves out-scored the Eagles in the first 20 minutes of regulation, 34-24, with Chadron State storming back in the second. CSC recorded 38 points to NSU's 32 in the half; however, it was not enough to overcome the 10-point deficit at halftime.
 
As a team, NSU shot 41.5 percent from the floor, 30.4 percent from the arc, and 60.0 percent from the foul line. They out-rebounded Chadron State 42-28 in the game, and tallied a game high nine assists, five steals, and three blocks. Northern combined for 24 points in the paint, 16 points off the bench, ten points off turnovers, and nine points off ten offensive boards.
 
Ian Smith with 17 points and 11 rebounds, recording his first double-double of the season. Both were season highs for the senior, who shot 71.4 percent from the floor and added two assists. Justin Decker and Gabe King followed with 13 and 12 points respectively. Decker notched six rebounds, while King tallied four rebounds, one block, and shot 50.0 percent from the floor.
 
Bo Fries added eight points for the Wolves, as well as three rebounds, a team high three assists, and one steal. Mason Stark led the team off the bench with seven points, followed by Jordan Belka with four, Cole Dahl with three, and Parker Fox with two. Belka was second on the team with six rebounds, while Fox and Roko Dominovic each recorded four.
 
Northern will remain at home next Saturday for the NSIC opener versus MSU Moorhead. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. against the Dragons from Wachs Arena.