Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team returns home this Friday and Saturday for two North Division contests versus Minot State and UMary. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday following the women's game. For a full list of promotional events visit our basketball gameday page.
 
Quick Hits on the Wolves
• The Northern State men return home with a 7-2 record overall and 3-0 mark in the NSIC.
• The Wolves are shooting 46.4 percent from the floor, 41.9 percent from the 3-point line, and 69.8 percent from the foul line.
• They are averaging 75.7 points, 39.3 rebounds, 15.0 assists, 11.0 turnovers, 3.8 steals, and 3.9 blocks per game, out-scoring their opponents by 10.3 points and out-rebounding their opponents by 7.7 boards per game.
• The Wolves rank in the top-15 in the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 64.1 points per game on average. They are also top-30 in 3-point field goal percentage.
• Ian Smith lead four in double figures, averaging 13.0 points per game, as well as a team second best 6.3 rebounds per game. The senior has dished out 58 assists, averaging 6.4 per game after a career high 11 last weekend versus Minnesota Crookston.
• Justin Decker is second on the team, averaging 11.7 points, while Gabe King is the final starter in double figures recording 10.1 points per game.
• Parker Fox leads the team off the bench with 10.9 points per game and a 52.1 field goal percentage. The redshirt freshman also has 15 blocks this season.
• Bo Fries is coming off a strong weekend with back-to-back double doubles. The senior is averaging 9.1 points and a team high 6.8 rebounds per game this season.
 
About Minot State
• Minot State is 5-7 overall and 0-3 in the league as they hit the road to Aberdeen.
• The Beavers are shooting 47.0 percent from the floor, 29.1 percent from the 3-point line, and 69.1 percent from the foul line.
• They are averaging 66.7 points, 34.3 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 12.3 turnovers, 5.5 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game.
• Minot is out-scoring their opponents by one point, and out-rebounding their foes by 1.7 boards per game this season.
• David Akibo leads four Beavers averaging double figures, notching 16.3 points per game, as well as a team leading 8.2 rebounds per game.
• Kyle Beisch and Max Cody followed notching 12.9 and 12.4 points per game respectively, while Dorian Aluyi is recording 11.0, while leading the team shooting 58.9 percent from the field.
• Cody has dished out 55 total assists, averaging 4.6 per game, and leads the Beavers with 20 steals, averaging 1.7 per game. He is shooting a team high 36.8 percent from the 3-point line and 81.3 percent from the free throw line.
• The Beavers are led by head coach Matt Murken in his seventh season with the program.
 
Last Match-Up
• Northern defeated Minot State 86-60 and 75-56 a season ago.
• The Wolves are 47-18 all-time against the Beavers, winning the last 18 contests.
 
About UMary
• UMary returns to Aberdeen with a 5-4 record overall and 2-1 mark in the NSIC.
• The Marauders are shooting 42.5 percent from the floor, 32.8 percent from the 3-point line, and 72.5 percent from the foul line.
• They are averaging 68.9 points, 35.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 12.2 turnovers, 7.3 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game this season.
• Mary is averaging 6.9 more points and 1.3 more rebounds than their opponents are in 2018-19.
• Jaylan White leads three averaging double figures, notching 13.4 points per game with a team high 32 assists.
• Tom Kubank and Matthew Kreklow are averaging 11.6 points apiece, and Kubank leads the team with 21 made 3-pointers.
• Kreklow leads the team at the rim averaging 5.8 rebounds per game.
• Lucas Mayer is shooting a team high 55.9 percent from the field, while Evan Anderson leads the team from the arc with a 46.2 shooting percentage.
• The Marauders are led by head coach Joe Kittell in his fourth season at the helm.
 
Last Match-Up
• Northern defeated UMary 75-66 and 71-55 a season ago.
• The Wolves are 25-13 all-time versus the Marauders, and 9-7 under the direction of Paul Sather.