Crookston, Minn. – The Northern State University men's basketball team rolled to their third NSIC victory of the season, defeating Minnesota Crookston 88-75 on the road. The Wolves move to 7-2 overall and 3-0 in the league, while the Golden Eagles drop to 7-4 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC.
Northern led throughout the entire 40 minutes, holding their largest lead of 19-points in the second half. The Wolves tallied 47 points in the first and another 41 in the second, shooting 51.9 percent from the floor, 55.6 percent from the 3-point line, and 73.3 percent from the foul line. They out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 37-30, notching 22 assists, five steals, and two blocks. NSU recorded 35 points off the bench, 32 points in the paint, 17 second chance points, and 14 points off turnovers.
Parker Fox led the team with a career high 21 points off the bench. The freshman shot 50.0 percent from the floor, adding seven rebounds and one steal.
Bo Fries followed with his second double double in as many games, notching 13 points and a team high ten rebounds. Fries went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line and tallied two assists.
Ian Smith and
Gabe King each knocked down 12 points for the Wolves, with Smith notching a double double of his own. The senior added a career high 11 assists, as well as three rebounds. King led the team, knocking down three of the Wolves ten made 3-pointers in the win. He shot 60.0 percent from beyond the arc, adding one block and three rebounds.
Andrew Kallman and
Justin Decker tallied eight points apiece, as the final members of the Northern State starting five. Kallman was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor with four rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal. Decker shot 50.0 percent from the floor with two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Cole Dahl notched six points, followed by
Mason Stark and
Jordan Belka with five and three points respectively. Dahl hit 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, adding two assists, one rebound, and one steal. Stark and Belka combined for three rebounds, and each drained a three.
The Wolves return to action next Friday and Saturday from Wachs Arena. NSU will face off against Minot State at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and UMary at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
