Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team blew past Augustana University on Friday evening in Wachs Arena. The Wolves handily defeated the Vikings, 97-66, improving to 14-3 overall and 10-1 in the NSIC. Northern is now the only team in league action with double figure victories.
 
The Wolves led by 16 at the half, and kept firing on all cylinders, out-scoring the Vikings 43-28 in the second. Northern shot 54.1 percent from the floor in the win, going 19-of-32 in just the first 20 minutes of action. They hit nine from beyond the arc, while holding their opponents to just four made 3-pointers in the game. Defensively, they forced a game high 16 turnovers which resulted in 24 points.
 
NSU combined for a game high 17 assists, two blocks, and six steals. They accumulated 44 points in the paint, 43 points off the bench, and 11 points off 12 offensive boards. The Wolves out-rebounded the Vikings 38-28 in the win, and tallied another 22 points off free throws.
 
Parker Fox led the Northern State charge with 18 points off the bench. The redshirt freshman shot 60.0 percent from the floor and added a team leading six rebounds, as well as one block and one steal. Ian Smith followed, as one of five Wolves in double figures with 16 points. He led the Northern State starters, and dished out a team high seven assists in addition to five rebounds and one steal.
 
Bo Fries grabbed 15 points of his own, and was one of three Wolves to knock down two buckets from the 3-point line. Fries added four rebounds, one assist, and one steal to the team total. Andrew Kallman rounded out the starters in double digits, with 12 points shooting 66.7 percent from the floor.
 
Mason Stark appeared in 20 minutes off the bench for the Wolves, knocking down 14 points and grabbing five rebounds. He went a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, 2-of-2 from the 3-point line and foul line, and added three rebounds.
 
Jordan Belka tallied nine points for NSU in the win, going 4-of-4 from the foul line. Justin Decker added eight points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block to the team total, while Gabe King and Cole Dahl combined for the final five team points. King notched two rebounds and one assist, and Dahl tallied five rebounds.
 
Northern will be back in action Saturday evening versus Wayne State College. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. between the Wolves and Wildcats from Wachs Arena. Fans are reminded that NSU SAAC will be taking donations for the annual Dare 2 Share weekend. Three canned food items results in a free Culver's custard coupon for all participating fans.