ABERDEEN, SD (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern State University men’s basketball team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament with an 88-65 victory over Concordia-St. Paul on Wednesday evening. The Wolves improve to 23-6 overall with the win and will continue their postseason run from Sioux Falls.
Northern led for nearly all 40 minutes of action, producing an efficient offensive attack as they shot 55.0 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the 3-point line. The Wolves out-rebounded the Golden Bears 41-27 in the win, and hit 10-of-11 from the free throw line. They combined for 12 made 3-pointers, 23 assists, four steals, and two blocks.
In addition, NSU tallied 40 points in the paint, 30 points off the bench, 12 points off turnovers, and seven points off nine offensive boards. Four Wolves finished the evening in double figures, while five knocked down two long range buckets. The men were a well-oiled machine from the tip-off, leading by as much as 31 with 6:42 to play in regulation.
Gabe King and Bo Fries led the team with 15 points apiece. King knocked down 5-of-9 from the floor and 2-of-4 from the 3-point line, adding five rebounds and four assists. Fries added six rebounds and two assists to the team total, shooting 83.3 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from the 3-point line. The pair each went a perfect 3-for-3 from the foul line as well.
Justin Decker was not far behind, scoring 14 points of his own; in addition, to a team high nine rebounds. The senior shot 77.8 percent in the win, and recorded one assist. Parker Fox led the team off the bench with ten points and seven rebounds. He added one block and shot 71.4 percent from the field.
Ian Smith and Andrew Kallman led the team dishing out eight and five assists respectively. Kallman added eight points, one rebound, and one steal, while Smith tallied six points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Mason Stark and Jordan Belka added eight and six points off the bench for the Wolves, each knocking down both of their attempted 3-pointers. Stark added three rebounds and two assists in the game. Cole Dahl and Ethan Kranhold hit the final two team 3-pointers in the win, notching three points apiece.
Northern will face off against the winner of the Minot State and Sioux Falls game from the Sanford Pentagon with tip-off set for 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. All members of the military and their spouses will be admitted free to the contest with valid military ID.
Postgame thoughts of Coach Sather…
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Postgame thoughts of senior Justin Decker…