Phillips Hits Career Milestone As Wolves Roll

Bemidji, MN (NSUWolves.com) [FRIDAY] – The No. 22 Northern State University men’s basketball team cruised past Bemidji State on Friday evening on the road. The Wolves shot 53.2% from the floor and 42.4% from the 3-point line, hitting 14 made buckets from beyond the arc.

THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 85, BSU 63
Records: NSU 20-5 (16-3 NSIC), BSU 16-9 (11-8 NSIC)
Attendance: 478

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Northern led 38-35 at the half and ran away with the game in the second, out-scoring the Beavers 47-28
  • The Wolves out-rebounded the Beavers 35-33 in the win, notching four points off of four offensive boards
  • NSU tallied 32 points in the paint, 16 points off turnovers, 17 assists, four blocks and one steal
  • They gave up just six turnovers in the contest and forced nine
  • In addition, the Beavers tallied just seven made 3-point buckets and the Northern State defense held Bemidji State to 41.9% from the floor and 33.3% from the 3-point line
  • Sam Masten led four starters in double figures, notching his third double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds
  • Masten, Jacksen Moni, and Josh Dilling, who all scored double digits, hit three long range buckets in the win
  • Dilling was second on the team with eight rebounds and dished out a team high five assists

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Sam Masten: 21 points, 60.0 field goal%, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
  • Jacksen Moni: 19 points, 66.7 field goal%, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
  • Jordan Belka: 18 points, 50.0 field goal%, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
  • Josh Dilling: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • The Wolves 20th win of the season was also the 300th career victory for head coach Saul Phillips
  • The Northern State leader holds a career record of 300-186 and NSU record of 85-24

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Crookston, MN (NSUWolves.com) [SATURDAY] – The No. 22 Northern State University men’s basketball team locked in at least a share of the NSIC Overall and North Division Titles on Saturday afternoon, defeating Minnesota Crookston by 25 points.

THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 92, UMC 68
Records: NSU 21-5 (17-3 NSIC), UMC 2-24 (1-19 NSIC)
Attendance: 398

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The two teams scored nearly mirror images of each other in each half, as the Wolves notched 47 and 46 points to the Golden Eagles 35 and 33
  • Northern shot 53.0% from the floor, 43.8% from the 3-point line, and 81.8% from the foul line, while Crookston shot 40.3% from the floor, 30.4% from the 3-point line, and 53.8% from the foul line
  • The Wolves recorded a game high 39 rebounds, 16 assists, 14 made 3-pointers, six steals, and three blocks
  • NSU scored 36 points in the paint, 21 points off turnovers, 21 points off the bench, and 15 second chance points
  • Sam Masten led five in double figures with 25 points, hitting 9-of-11 from the floor, while Michael Nhial led the team off the bench with 12 points and seven rebounds

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Sam Masten: 25 points, 81.8 field goal%, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
  • Jacksen Moni: 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals
  • Jordan Belka: 14 points, 60.0 field goal%, 6 rebounds
  • Michael Nhial: 12 points, 57.1 field goal%, 7 rebounds
  • Josh Dilling: 10 points, 57.1 field goal%, 3 rebounds

UP NEXT
Northern State closes out the regular season next week versus UMary and Minot State. The Wolves travel to Bismarck on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. tip and face off against the Beavers at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Aberdeen.