Feb. 9, 2001

Playing without sophomore forward Sundance Wicks (Gillette, Wyo.), -- who sat the game with a sprained ankle -- Northern State fell behind early and wasn't able to recover in a 76-95 loss at Bemidji State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Friday night.

The Wolves (11-10, 7-6 NSIC) started slowly, while BSU shot a sizzling 64 percent (17-of-27) in the first half, including a scintillating 7-of-11 (64 percent) from 3-point range to post a daunting 49-25 halftime advantage. BSU (9-12, 6-7) was led by Chad Nelson, who exploded for 31 points. That total included 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range and a very workmanlike 15-of-18 performance from the free-throw line.

Four players reached double digits for NSU, led by junior guard Drew Gruver's (Scott City, Kan.) 18 points. Sophomore guard Nick Schroeder (Plymouth, Minn.), starting for Wicks, netted 15 points to go with a team-high six assists. He was followed by senior post Ben Dahl's (Cottonwood, Minn.) 13 points and junior point guard Roland Williams' (Ft. Worth, Texas) 10. Williams also led the team on the boards with five rebounds.

Even after the Beavers' dream-like first half, the Wolves never quit. NSU made a serious run to cut the margin to eight points in the second half, but ran out of gas down the stretch. NSU travels to face Minnesota-Duluth Saturday.