Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team returns to action this Friday and Saturday on the road at Upper Iowa and Winona State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday versus the Peacocks and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday against the Warriors.
 
Quick Hits on the Wolves
                • The Wolves enter the new year after falling to MSU Moorhead in their first league loss of the season.
                • Northern is shooting 47.5 percent from the floor, 42.1 percent from the arc, and 70.3 percent from the foul line this season.
                • They are averaging 75.9 points, 38.1 rebounds, 15.0 assists, 10.8 turnovers, 3.3 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game, while out-scoring their opponents by 10.1 points and out-rebounding their foes by 7.3 boards per game.
                • Ian Smith leads four Wolves averaging double figures, notching 13.1 points per game, as well as a team high 6.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. He also sits top-5 in the league in assists per game and assist/turnover ratio.
                • Parker Fox is second on the team, and leads the Wolves off the bench, notching 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The redshirt freshman is also shooting a team leading 54.6 percent from the field, and has recorded a team high 15 blocks. 
                • Justin Decker and Bo Fries round out the double figure scorers, recording 10.7 and 10.0 points per game respectively. Fries is second on the team averaging 6.3 rebounds per game, and sits top-10 in the league in offensive boards.
                • Andrew Kallman leads the team with 23 made 3-pointers this season, and a 51.1 3-point field goal percentage. He also ranks in the top-10 in the NSIC in both categories.
 
About Upper Iowa
                • The Peacocks are 6-6 overall this season and 3-3 in the NSIC.
                • UIU is shooting 44.3 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from the 3-point line, and 75.7 percent from the foul line this season.
                • They are averaging 77.2 points, 33.0 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 11.9 turnovers, 4.3 steals, and 3.8 blocks per game.
                • Jareese Williams leads four averaging double figures, notching 15.1 points per game, with an 86.1 free throw percentage.
                • Joe Smoldt is second on the team notching 3.5 points per game, and leads the Peacocks with 41 total assists.
                • Munachiso Okonkwo is grabbing a team high 6.1 rebounds per game and shooting 56.6 percent from the floor.
                • Upper Iowa is led by head coach Brooks McKowen in his sixth season at the helm.
 
Last Match-Up
                • The Wolves defeated the Peacocks 93-80 on the road in 2017-18.
                • Northern is 17-3 all-time versus Upper Iowa.
 
About Winona State
                • The Warriors enter the weekend with a 5-7 record overall and 2-4 mark in the NSIC.
                • Winona State is shooting 43.3 percent from the floor, 36.0 percent from the 3-point line, and 78.0 percent from the free-throw line.
                • They are averaging 74.3 points, 34.2 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 9.3 turnovers, 6.8 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game this season.
                • Kevion Taylor leads three averaging double figures, notching 12.8 points per game, as well as a team high 6.7 rebounds per game.
                • Devin Whitelow and Caleb Wagner are second on the team recording 10.8 and 10.3 points per game respectively. The pair also lead the Warriors with 46 and 40 assists respectively, while Whitelow has a team high 17 steals.
                • Charlie Koontz and Alex Rosner are each shooting 50.0 percent from the field, with Koontz also leading the team shooting 50.0 percent from the arc.
                • Winona State is led by head coach Todd Eisner in his fourth season with the program.
 
Last Match-Up
                • Northern defeated Winona State 82-64 a season ago.
                • Cole Dahl tallied a team high 15 points, followed by Ian Smith with 12.
                • The Wolves are 44-38 all-time versus the Warriors.