Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team came up just short on Saturday evening versus St. Cloud State, falling to the Huskies 65-62. The Wolves had possession with 22 seconds remaining, however were unable to tie the game at 64-all or take the lead. After clinching a share of the NSIC overall and North Division titles last night, NSU drops to 20-6 overall and 16-4 in the league and will battle next weekend to win the out-right crowns.
 
St. Cloud State went on a 12-2 run to open the contest, but the Wolves battled back taking a 34-31 lead at the half break. Northern continued to hold the lead, though close, through a majority of the second half until the Huskies tied things at 49 with 8:07 to play. Neither team led by more than three points in those final eight minutes, with the Wolves given their opportunities to seal the contest.
 
Northern out-shot St. Cloud 43.6 percent to 41.0 percent in the contest, while the Huskies out-rebounded the Wolves 41-36. Despite forcing six turnovers, they were only able to come up with two points on their end.
 
As a team they men combined for 12 assists, five blocks, and four steals. NSU tallied 34 points in the paint, 14 points off the bench, six points off seven offensive boards, and five made three pointers in the game.
 
Gabe King led three Wolves in double figures, knocking down 20 points. The junior shot 57.1 percent from the floor, and hit 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also added two rebounds and one steal. Ian Smith was second on the team with 12 points, notching seven rebounds, one steal, and a team high six assists.
 
Parker Fox led the team off the bench with 11 points, and tallied a double-double with a team high ten rebounds. It was his first double-double of the season since early January versus Minnesota Crookston. The redshirt freshman added one assist and two blocks, shooting 40.0 percent from the floor.
 
Bo Fries tallied eight points for NSU, while Andrew Kallman and Justin Decker rounded out the starters with four points apiece. Fries pulled down a team second best nine rebounds, and recorded two steals, one assist, and one block. Decker notched four rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Kallman tallied two assists, one rebound, and one block. Jordan Belka tallied the final three team points for the Wolves, hitting his lone 3-point attempt of the contest.
 
NSU will travel to UMary and Minot State next Friday and Saturday, with tip-off set for 7:30 and 5:30 p.m. from Bismarck and Minot.