Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team will face off against the University of Sioux Falls in the quarterfinal round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. from the Sanford Pentagon. All members of the military and their spouses will be admitted free to the contest per the NSIC.
 
QUICK HITS ON THE WOLVES
                • The Wolves enter the quarterfinal round with a 23-6 record overall, following a 17-point victory over Concordia-St. Paul at home.
                • Paul Sather was named the NSIC Coach of the Year for the second straight season, after leading the Wolves to back-to-back NSIC Championships. 
                • In addition, Ian Smith, Justin Decker, and Gabe King were named to the NSIC All-Conference first, second, and honorable mention teams.
                • Northern was ranked third in the first NCAA Central Region rankings of the season last week, behind Northwest Missouri State and Washburn.
                • Northern is shooting 49.6 percent from the floor, 41.9 percent from the 3-point line, and 74.8 percent from the foul line this season.
                • They are averaging 79.9 points, 36.7 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 10.5 turnovers, 3.7 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game; out-scoring their opponents by 9.9 points and out-rebounding their opponents by 6.2 boards per game.
                • Smith leads the team this season averaging 13.7 points per game. The senior has 155 rebounds, 149 assists, and 24 steals.
                • Justin Decker and Gabe King follow, averaging 11.5 and 11.1 points per game respectively. King leads the team with 47 made 3-pointers.
                • Parker Fox leads the team off the bench averaging 10.8 points per game, as well as 5.5 rebounds per game. He is shooting a team high 57.3 percent from the floor.
                • Bo Fries leads the averaging 6.0 rebounds per game, and is second on the team shooting 48.4 percent from the 3-point line with 44 made 3-pointers.
 
ABOUT SIOUX FALLS
                • Sioux Falls travels to the Pentagon with a 19-10 record overall this season, and a opening round victory over Minot State.
                • USF finished the NSIC regular season fourth in the south division and seventh in the league overall standings.
                • Statistically they led the NSIC in rebounding margin, offensive rebounds, defensive rebound, and field goal percentage defense. 
                • The Cougars are shooting 45.9 percent from the floor, 36.2 percent from the 3-point line, and 71.2 percent from the foul line.
                • They are averaging 79.4 points, 41.7 rebounds, 12.1 assists, 12.1 turnovers, 6.0 steals, and 4.0 blocks per game this season; out-scoring their opponents by 7.8 points and out-rebounding their opponents by 10.9 rebounds per game.
                • Trevon Evans and Drew Guebert were both named to the NSIC All-Conference first team. The pair led the team averaging 22.9 and 19.1 points per game this season. Guebert also leads the Cougars averaging 5.8 rebounds per game.
                • Justin Taylor leads the team shooting 55.3 percent from the floor, while Guebert leads the team from the 3-point line shooting 44.4 percent.
                • Sioux Falls is led by head coach Chris Johnson in his 11 season with the program.
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                • The Wolves defeated the Cougars 90-84 in the regular season, shooting 56.4 percent from the floor, 52.9 percent from the 3-point line, and 76.0 percent from the foul line.
                • Justin Decker and Ian Smith led the team with 22 points each in the win.
                • Northern is 72-23 all-time versus the University of Sioux Falls.