Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Northern State men's basketball team (17-6, 13-4 NSIC) fell to the University of Sioux Falls (18-5, 14-3 NSIC) 68-61 on Friday night.
 
Both teams came into the night with a chance to take sole possession of the NSIC. But it was the Cougars who took advantage of good rebounding and timely shooting to stake their claim as the best team in the conference.
 
This battle of NSIC heavyweights got off to a rough start for the Wolves as Sioux Falls went on a 7-0 run to begin the game. Northern didn't score their first field goal until over seven minutes into regulation, forcing them to work from a deficit.
 
Despite how quickly the Cougars built their lead, they suddenly found NSU on their heels as the Wolves strung together a few baskets. Parker Fox finally gave Northern their first lead with a 3-pointer just as the game passed the ten-minute mark.
 
The rest of the half was a back and forth battle. If the score wasn't tied, neither team had more than a one- or two-point lead, but as the teams walked to the locker room it was Northern who came away with a 28-26 halftime advantage.
 
The game picked up right where it left off as neither team was able to establish a strong lead early in the second half. However, Northern soon found themselves in foul trouble with seven team fouls before Sioux Falls had one, allowing the Cougars to build a nine-point lead.
 
With Parker Fox forced to sit on the bench for most of the second half with four personal fouls, it looked like the Wolves would unable to stop the Cougars' momentum. However, Gabe King was single handedly keeping the Wolves in the game, cashing in 13 of the Wolves next 15 points to keep them within reach.
 
Despite keeping the game close, the Wolves were unable to defeat Sioux Falls in the clutch. The loss is just Northern's sixth of the season, and they'll have five more games to hopefully end the regular season on a strong note before the NSIC tournament.
 
Northern shot 46.0% from the floor, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 81.8% from the free-throw line. 20 of their points came off of turnovers, 22 from the paint and 22 from the bench.
 
Leading the Wolves in scoring was Gabe King with 19 points, followed by Cole Dahl who lead the team from the bench with 12. Also having a good day off the bench was Jordan Belka, gathering four rebounds and 10 points.
 
Parker Fox fouled out of the game in the second half but managed to put up nine points and five rebounds. Rounding out the scoreboard were Mason Stark and Andrew Kallman with seven and four points respectively.
 
The Wolves will return to action tomorrow after traveling to Minnesota to play the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. on February 8 from the R/A Facility.