Mankato, MN (NSUWolves.com) [FRI] – The Northern State University men’s basketball team fell to Minnesota State on Friday on the road 78-67. Despite the double figure differential at the end of regulation, the two teams played a tightly contested game with neither team leading by double digits until the final 90-seconds of play.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 67, MSU 78
Records: NSU 7-12 (7-6 NSIC), MSU 12-9 (6-7 NSIC)
Attendance: 2682
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Wolves trailed by just one at the half, trading scores throughout the opening 20 minutes of action, however the Mavericks pulled away 39-29 in the second
- NSU struggled with efficiency, shooting just 39.7% from the floor in the game, despite shooting 46.9% in the first half
- In addition, the shot 30.4% from the 3-point line and 62.5% from the foul line
- Northern won the battle off the glass, out-rebounding Minnesota State 43-37, with 13 offensive boards resulting in 11 points
- In addition, NSU tallied nine assists, five steals, and three blocks in the contest
- They scored 32 points in the paint, ten points off the bench, and eight points off turnovers, while the Mavericks notched 22 points in the paint, 24 points off the bench, and 22 points off 12 NSU turnovers
- Joshua Book led the team scoring 19 points, including 14 in the second half of play, and dished out four assists
- Simona Akena and James Glenn added 15 and 11 points respectively, as well as two assists each and Glenn notched a team best three steals
- Tobi Obiora led the team with nine rebounds and three blocks, followed by Akena with seven rebounds of his own
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Joshua Book: 19 points, 57.1 field goal%, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
- Simon Akena: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
- James Glenn: 11 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
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St. Cloud, MN (NSUWolves.com) [SAT] – The Northern State University men’s basketball team fell to St. Cloud State on the road on Saturday. The Wolves struggled from the 3-point line, knocking down just 3-of-23 from beyond the arc.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 59, SCSU 72
Records: NSU 7-13 (7-7 NSIC), SCSU 15-5 (12-2 NSIC)
Attendance: 458
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Neither team shot overly well in the contest with Northern shooting 36.4% from the floor and 13.0% from the 3-point line, while St. Cloud shot 37.3% from the floor and 17.1% from the 3-point line
- The Wolves did find success from the charity stripe, going 16-of-17 in the game
- They tallied 30 points in the paint, 19 points off the bench, eight points off turnovers, and eight second chance points
- St. Cloud State out-rebounded NSU 44-36 in the game and Northern recorded seven assists, five steals, and four blocks
- Joshua Book led the team with 16 points and six rebounds, going perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line
- Simon Akena added 13 points and a team leading seven rebounds, while Marshawn Smith led NSU off the bench with 11 points
- Benjamin Bowen tallied the final bench points for the Wolves, scoring eight with four rebounds and two assists
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Joshua Book: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 100.0 free throw%, 1 assist
- Simon Akena: 13 points, 7 rebounds
- Marshawn Smith: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
UP NEXT
Northern returns home next Friday and Saturday hosting Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State for the annual I Hate Winter weekend. The Wolves will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday against the Cougars and 6 p.m. on Saturday versus the Mustangs. David Tukesbrey will have the play-by-play on Fox Sports Aberdeen 1420 & 98.5 + video via the NSIC Network.