2005-06 Schedule

2nd Half WSUrge

January 20, 2006	1st	2nd	Final	Record
#5 Northern State	43	35	78	14-2, 4-1 NSIC
#18 Winona State	42	50	92	13-4, 4-1 NSIC

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#18 Winona State Uses Big Second Half to Best #5 Northern State

Winona, Minn. - #5 Northern State (14-2, 4-1 NSIC) took their first NSIC loss of the season as #18Winona State (13-4, 4-1 NSIC) bested the Wolves 92-78 in front of 2,451 fans at McCown Gym in Winona, Minn. Northern State was ranked #1 in the North Central Region coming into the game, while Winona State was ranked #3.

Winona State busted open a close game with 14:00 minutes left in the second half to lead by as many as 18.

Leading scorers in the game were Northern State’s Aaron Busack (Sr., C, Redwood Falls, Minn.) and Winona State’s Zach Malvik, who both scored 25 points. David Zellman added 24 and John Smith put in 13 additional points for the Warriors. NSU’s Adam Grant (Sr., F, Berthold, N.D.) had 14 while Craig Nelson (R-So., G, Mayville, N.D.) added 11 to round out the players in double figures.

Both teams shot well in the game as the Warriors were 34 of 61 (55.7%) while the Wolves were 28 of 66 for 42.4%. The Wolves were 5 of 5 from three point range in the first half , but hit only three in the second half to finish 8 of 17 (47.1%) from behind the arc. The Warriors were 6 of 15 (40%) from long range.

Both teams took care of the ball as the Wolves had only 11 turnovers and the Warriors eight. The Warriors however blocked eight shots and had eight steals in the contest.

Northern State opened up a one point contest as they went on an 8-0 run five minutes into the game to take a 20-13 lead before the Warriors answered with a 7-0 run of their own to tie the game at 20 half way through the first half.

The game was back and forth until the Warriors went on another 7-0 run at the five minute mark to take a 38-33 lead. From that point the Wolves ended the half on a 10-4 run to lead 43-42 at intermission.

The Wolves did not allow an offensive rebound in the first half, but the Warriors garnered eight second half offensive boards leading to 10 points. In the game the Wolves were out rebound 39-35 but owned a 10 to 8 offensive edge.

After a quick basketball by Busack to start the second half, the Warriors went on a mini 5-1 run to take a 51-46 lead. The Wolves struggled from the field in the second half but were able to keep it close at 57-55 with 14:05 to go. The Wolves were only 10 of 33 (30.3%) from the field in the second half.

The Warriors went on a 16-6 run over the next seven minutes to open up a 73-61 margin. WSU shot 50% (17-34) in the second half.

The Wolves would trail by as many as 18, but hit a couple of late shots to end the game in a 14 point spread.

Northern State stays on the road as they travel to Concordia St. Paul for a 8:00 p.m. match-up at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn

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