Advancing

Nelson Scores Career High As Wolves Advance to
NSIC Championship Game

Game/Press Notes

WINONA, Minn. - Northern State outscored Bemidji State 42-31 in the second half to come back and defeat the Beavers 76-66 and advance to the NSIC Red Baron Men’s Basketball Championship game tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Winona, Minn. Craig Nelson (R-Fr., G, Mayville, N.D.) scored a career high 17 points for the Wolves in the win. The Wolves improve to 20-9 on the season as Head Coach Don Meyer collects his 24 th season with 20 wins or more. Bemidji State ends their season 17-12.

Northern State was up eight with 6:18 to go in the first half before Bemidji State went on a 14-0 run over a four minute span to take a 32-26 lead. The Wolves countered with a 5-0 run to get within one and ended the first half down 35-34.

The second half saw the Wolves open on a 6-0 run to lead 34-32. Bemidji State struggled from the field in the second half as they shot only 29% (10-34) and scored 16 points over 16 minutes. The Wolves, who scored the first basket of the half and led the rest of the way, added another 7-0 ending with 3:38 to go and led 63-51.

The Wolves were led by Craig Nelson who scored a career high 17 points on 3 of 5 shooting from the field and a perfect 9 for 9 from the charity stripe. Matt Hammer (Jr., Elkton, S.D.) added 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in his 34 minutes of play, while Aaron Busack (Jr., C, Redwood Falls, Minn.) put in 14 and Levi Hamilton (Fr., F, Lincoln, Neb.) added 11 points and seven rebounds.