Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern State men's basketball program used a hot start to propel its way past a scrappy Midwestern State (Texas) squad 84-70 Friday night to cap the opening day of the Dacotah Bank Classic at Wachs Arena.

QUICK HITS

• Final score: Northern State 84, Midwestern State 70
• Records: Northern State 5-3, 0-1 NSIC; Midwestern State 2-3, 0-0 Lone Star
• Attendance: 2554

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Northern started the night with 3-pointers from Jackson Moni and Jordan Belka and, after a brief see-saw battle on the scoreboard, eventually stretched its lead to as man as 20 by the end of the half.
• Midwestern State cut it to 10 on two different occasions in the second half, but could get no closer.
• The Mustangs were 6-of-21 from 3-point range in the second half, with a good number of those attempts coming late in the half in an attempt to jumpstart a run at the Wolves. Northern held off every advance, however, and countered with free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Jordan Belka: 21 points, 6 rebounds
• Sam Masten: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 8-for-9 FT
• Gus Reede: 12 points, 3-of-6 3FG

UP NEXT
The Wolves finish out non-conference play Saturday night, hosting cross-town opponent Presentation in the final game of the Dacotah Bank Classic. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.