Aberdeen, S.D. – It went down to the wire, in Northern State's 72-70 victory over Minnesota Crookston on Friday evening. With the win, the Wolves improve to 12-3 overall and 8-1 in the NSIC, handing the Golden Eagles their seventh loss of the season.
Northern led 34-29 at the half, however Minnesota Crookston stormed back in the second. The Golden Eagles out-scored the Wolves 41-38 in the half shooting 51.7 percent from the floor. Northern did however make stops on defense when they needed to, forcing four missed field goals in the final three minutes.
The Wolves finished the game shooting 44.2 percent from the floor, 46.7 percent from the arc, and 61.3 percent from the free throw line. Northern out-rebounded Crookston 43-to-35 in the win, recording 13 second chance points. They combined for a game high 17 assists, seven made 3-poitners, and five steals, while adding two blocks. NSU notched 32 points in the paint, 19 points off the bench, and five points off turnovers.
Bo Fries led the team, matching his career high of 18 points. The senior hit 6-of-7 from the field, 3-of-3 from the 3-point line, and 3-of-3 from the foul line. He also added a team second best seven rebounds, as well as three assists, one block, and one steal.
Justin Decker was second on the team with 14 points, shooting 71.4 percent from the floor. Decker added three rebounds and one assist for the Wolves.
Gabe King and
Parker Fox each tallied 11 points, with Fox leading the team off the bench. King shot 50.0 percent in the win, and tallied seven rebounds and one steal. Fox notched his second double-double of the season with a team leading ten rebounds.
Ian Smith was the final Wolf in double figures with ten points, in addition to seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Despite being held scoreless in the game,
Andrew Kallman was an asset to his teammates with a team high five assists.
Mason Stark and
Cole Dahl grabbed the final team points for the Wolves with five and three respectively. Stark added two rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Dahl went 1-for-2 from the 3-point line.
Northern returns to Wachs Arena and Don Meyer court tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. versus Bemidji State. NSU Athletics is throwing it back for Y2K night at the Wachs.
