Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern State men's basketball program got off to a blistering start, then held off a persistent rally from Southern Arkansas to claim a 78-69 victory Saturday night at the Central Region Challenge in Kansas City, Mo. The win is Northern's second victory of the season and evens its record at 2-2 after three games against top 25 or receiving votes squads. Southern Arkansas was among those receiving votes in the latest national poll.
QUICK HITS
- Final score: Northern State 78, Southern Arkansas 69
- Records: Northern State 2-2
- Attendance: 105
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a more than 2-hour delay from the game's original start time, Northern raced out to an early 18-point advantage, leading 37-19 with under 5 minutes to play in the opening half.
- Southern Arkansas cut Northern's lead to just eight at the break and never went away in the second half.
- Jordan Belka notched a career-high 30 points in the Wolves' winning effort.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
UP NEXT
Northern State will open its 2021-22 home slate next weekend, hosting the East-West Challenge at Wachs Arena. The Wolves will face Black Hills State Friday at 7 p.m. and South Dakota Mines Saturday at 4 p.m.
