Bemidji, Minn. – The No. 12 Northern State University men's basketball team defeated Bemidji State by 28-points in their second triple figure scoring game of the season. With the 104-76 win, Northern improves to 25-3 overall and 18-2 in the league. The Wolves also clinched at least a share of the NSIC North Division and overall titles. The NSIC overall crown will be the first for the program since 2002-03.
It was a balanced attack for the Wolves with 52 points in each half and six players in double figures. Northern shot 60.0 percent from the floor, 44.4 percent from the arc, and 73.7 percent from the foul line. They out-rebounded Bemidji State 38-24, notching 12 second chance points off of eight offensive rebounds. NSU tallied 42 points in the paint, 26 points off the bench, 16 points off turnovers, and four fast break points, combining for 22 assist, three blocks, and four steals.
Four of the starting five scored in double figures, led by sophomore
Gabe King with a new career high of 21. King hit 7-of-8 from the floor, 5-of-5 from the 3-points line, and added two rebounds for the team. He was followed by
Darin Peterka with 20 points of his own. The senior notched four rebounds and three assists, while shooting 72.7 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the arc.
DJ Pollard and
Carter Evans each tallied 15 points in the win. Pollard tallied a team second best six rebounds and four assists, while shooting 71.4 percent from the floor. Evans led the team dishing out a team leading seven assists, and added five rebounds and one block. The senior knocked down 7-of-12 from the floor.
Ian Smith rounded out the starting five with seven points, five rebounds, and one block.
Logan Doyle led the team off the bench with 11 points and seven rebounds. He shot 75.0 percent from the floor and added three assists, one block, and one steal.
Andrew Kallman followed with five points of his own, while
Logan LeGrand notched four.
Bo Fries,
Ethan Kranhold, and
Justin Decker tallied three, two, and one point respectively.
The Wolves return to Wachs Arena for the regular season finale next Friday and Saturday against Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.
