Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team will close out the NSIC regular season this Friday and Saturday on the road at the University of Mary and Minot State. Tip-off is schedule for 7:30 p.m. on Friday versus the Marauders and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday against the Beavers.
 
Quick Hits on the Wolves
                • The Northern State Wolves enter the final weekend of the regular season, after clinching at least a share of the league overall and North Division titles last weekend.
                • Northern is 20-6 overall this year, and currently ranked No. 3 in the NCAA Central Region Rankings.
                • The Wolves are averaging 79.0 points, 36.6 rebounds, 15.1 assists, 10.5 turnovers, 3.8 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game this season; out-scoring their opponents by 9.3 points and out-rebounding their opponents by 6.3 boards per game. 
                • They are shooting 49.5 percent from the floor, 41.9 percent from the 3-point line, and 73.5 percent from the foul line.
                • Ian Smith leads four Wolves averaging double figures, notching 14.1 points per game. The senior also leads the team with 131 assists and 20 steals this season.
                • Justin Decker has been strong as of late, averaging 11.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He is shooting a team second best 53.6 percent from the floor as well.
                • Parker Fox leads the Wolves off the bench notching 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. The redshirt freshman is shooting a team high 57.4 percent from the floor with 36 blocks.
                • Gabe King has been the team's leading scorer in their last three contests, and is averaging 10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He and Andrew Kallman lead the team with 41 made 3-pointers this season.
                • Bo Fries is a silent force for NSU, leading team averaging 5.9 rebounds per game, and recording 9.9 points per game. He is shooting a team high 47.6 percent from the arc.
 
About UMary
                • The Marauders enter the weekend with an 11-15 record overall and 8-12 mark in the NSIC.
                • UMary is averaging 69.7 points, 34.6 rebounds, 12.4 assists, 12.7 turnovers, 6.7 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game this season.
                • They are shooting 42.1 percent from the floor, 33.2 percent from the 3-point line, and 72.8 percent from the foul line.
                • Jaylan White leads four averaging double figures, notching 13.7 points per game. He has also dished out a team high 85 assists and grabbed 35 steals.
                • Matthew Kreklow is recording a team high 5.7 rebounds per game and 46 blocks, and is second on the team notching 11.7 points per game. He is shooting 47.9 percent from the floor.
                • Tom Kubank leads the Marauders from the 3-point line with 49 made buckets, and is third on the team notching 11.2 points per game.
                • Connor Hellebust rounds out the double figure scorers, recording 10.2 points per game.
                • Mary is led by head coach Joe Kittell in his fourth season at the helm.
 
Last Match-Up
                • The Wolves defeated the Marauders 76-59 at home earlier this season.
                • Ian Smith and Gabe King led the team with 12 points apiece, as NSU shot 57.7 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from the arc.
                • Northern is 27-13 all-time versus the University of Mary.
 
About Minot State
                • Minot State enters the weekend with a 14-15 record overall and 9-11 mark in the NSIC.
                • The Beavers are averaging 72.9 points, 33.1 rebounds, 11.2 turnovers, 4.7 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game this season.
                • They are shooting 49.7 percent from the floor, 38.0 percent from the 3-point line, and 72.0 percent from the foul line.
                • David Akibo leads the team averaging 19.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He has recorded a team high 29 blocks and is shooting 46.7 percent from the floor.
                • Kyle Beisch and Max Cody round out the double figure scorers, notching 14.4 and 12.9 points per game respectively.
                • Beisch has hit a team leading 63 made 3-pointers this season.
                • Cody is shooting a team high 51.0 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from the 3-point line, and leads Minot State with 170 assists.
                • Minot State is led by head coach Matt Murken in his seventh season with the program.
 
Last Match-Up
                • The Wolves defeated the Beavers 85-72 from Wachs Arena in early December.
                • Bo Fries and Ian Smith led four players in double figures, recording 14 points each.
                • NSU combined for 34 points off the bench led by Jordan Belka with a career high 13.
                • Northern is 48-18 all-time against Minot State.