Aberdeen, S.D. – What looked to be an evenly matched game through the first half, turned into a 20-point victory for the Northern State men's basketball team. The Wolves defeated Bemidji State on Saturday evening, 73-53 after holding the Beavers to just 20 points in the second half. Northern improves to 13-3 overall and 9-1 in the NSIC following the win.
A total of 12 Wolves saw the floor in the win, as Northern shot 46.3 percent from the floor, 38.5 percent from the 3-point line, and 85.7 percent from the foul line. They stuck with their bread and butter, out-rebounding the Beavers 37-32 and combined for a game high ten assists, six blocks, and seven steals.
Northern tallied 34 points in the paint, 35 points off the bench, 15 points off turnovers, six second chance points, and one bucket off a fast break. They drained five from beyond the arc, and held their largest lead of the game, 22 points, with 1:23 left in regulation.
Ian Smith led the team with a season high 23 points, knocking down 7-of-12 from the floor and 8-of-8 from the foul line. The senior added four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Mason Stark followed leading the team off the bench as the only other Wolf in double figures. The redshirt freshman recorded 12 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Cole Dahl and
Parker Fox each tallied eight points apiece, with Fox also leading the team with eight rebounds. Dahl shot a swift 1.000 percent from the floor with two made 3-pointers, and added two rebounds and one block. Fox continued to fly high for the Wolves with a team high two blocks in the win, as well as a monster dunk which sent the two teams into the locker room at halftime.
Jordan Belka saw increased minutes for the Wolves, notching five points, two rebounds, one block, and one steal off the bench. He was followed by
Bo Fries,
Gabe King, and
Justin Decker with four points apiece. Fries was second on the team with seven rebounds, while King and Decker each grabbed four.
Andrew Kallman led the Wolves with three assists and two steals in the win. The sophomore also added three points.
Roko Dominovic was the final scorer for the Wolves with two points, one rebound, and one steal in the final minute of action.
The Wolves will continue their home stand next weekend versus Augustana and Wayne State. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday versus the Vikings and 6 p.m. on Saturday against the Wildcats.
