WOLVES STOMP CONCORDIA 84-35

Dec. 7, 2001

Yeoman Hjelmeland -- Freshman Dustin Hjelmeland converts at the line for one of his 12 points against Concordia-St. Paul. Hjelmeland nearly had his first collegiate double-double Friday night, also pulling down a team-high nine rebounds.

In what was one of the greatest defensive showings Northern State has put on in the modern era, the Wolves started the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season by running over Concordia University-St. Paul 84-35 Saturday night in NSU's Wachs Arena.

Concordia's 35-point output was the least allowed by a Northern team since the 1951-52 season, when NSU defeated Ellendale Normal 42-33.

Northern led 47-18 at the half, forced 25 turnovers on the night and came up with 15 steals. CSP shot just 23 percent from the field, while Northern shot 51 percent. Northern's only weak spot on the night was the defensive glass, where the team allowed 14 CSP offensive boards.

Senior guard Drew Gruver (Scott City, Kan.) led all scorers with 18 points to go with four steals. Redshirt freshman forward and Staples-Motley, Minn., product Dustin Hjelmeland (pronounced YOM-land) led the team in rebounding with nine boards to go with 12 points. Senior guard Roland Williams (Ft. Worth, Texas), in his second game back from injury, tallied 10 points. True freshman guard Jarod Obering (Beatrice, Neb.) put up a career high six steals on the night to go with five points and three assists. CSP (2-4, 0-1 NSIC) was led by Josh Delich's eight points.

NSU (4-2, 1-0 NSIC) hosts defending NSIC Tournament Champion Winona State Saturday night.