Bemidji, Minn. – The Northern State University men's basketball team put their rally caps on in an 84-73 victory over Bemidji State on the road. The Wolves trailed 39-34 at the half, and by as much as 17-points in the second, but battled back and remained unscathed in NSIC action. NSU improved to 6-2 on the year and 2-0 in the NSIC, handing the Beavers their first league loss of the season.
After trailing by 17 with just under 17 minutes to play in the second, the Wolves began to chip away at the Bemidji State lead. Northern went on a 19-4 run over the course of the next five minutes, and ended up taking their first lead of the second half with 5:29 left to play. The two team's traded leads through the next two minutes, however the Wolves ran away with the game from there.
The Wolves shot 47.5 percent from the floor, 32.1 percent from the 3-point line, and 85.0 percent from the foul line in the win. They out-rebounded the Beavers 38-24, and tallied 14 assists, nine made 3-pointers, four blocks, and three steals. BSU out-shot the Wolves from the floor and the 3-point line, however 17 made free throws, 17 points off turnovers, and 13 second chance points made the difference in the game.
Seniors
Ian Smith and
Justin Decker led the team with 18 points apiece. Smith tallied a team high eight assists, and added five rebounds. Decker tallied four rebounds and one assist, and led the team going 6-of-6 from the foul line.
Gabe King and
Bo Fries were the final Wolves in double figures with 17 and 12 points respectively. King tallied three buckets made from beyond the arc, and added a team high two steals. Fries recorded his first double double of the season, adding a career high 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Andrew Kallman rounded out the starting five for the Wolves with nine points, with all three field goals coming from beyond the arc.
Parker Fox and
Cole Dahl led the team off the bench with five points each and a combined three rebounds. Fox added one steal and one block, while
Mason Stark and
Jordan Belka tallied one rebounds and one assist, and two rebounds respectively.
Northern returns to the court tomorrow evening at Minnesota Crookston. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. versus the Golden Eagles.
