CHAMPIONSHIP TREK TAKES A DETOUR AT SOUTHWEST

Feb. 17, 1999

Northern State's hope for a fifth consecutive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference crown took a serious detour Wednesday night in Marshall, Minn. After a near flawless game by Southwest State produced a 90-73 home victory, the Wolves find themselves no longer in control of their own destiny as the season winds down.

NSU (19-6 overall, 8-2 NSIC) never got its offense on track, shooting 36 percent from the field on the night. Senior forward Mark Rich (Aberdeen, S.D.) was, as always, solid. He led the team with 20 points. Junior guard Scott Hanson (Tolna, N.D.) netted 19, followed by sophomore guard Jared Miller (Mitchell, S.D.) who chipped in 14 points to along with seven rebounds and five steals. Senior forward Kyle Johnson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) rounded out NSU's double-digit scorers with 12 points on six-of-eight shooting and also hauled down seven boards, including four offensive.

NSU never led in the game, pulling to as close as seven points midway through the second half before SSU answered with a time consuming 19-7 run to put the game out of reach at 78-59 with two minutes remaining.

The Mustangs (14-11, 5-5) could seemingly do no wrong on the court, much to the delight of the 3,521 rabid fans -- the largest crowd in SSU history -- who packed the R/A Facility for the school's annual "Hawaiian Night." SSU shot 62 percent from the floor and received emotional performances from seniors Greg Sinnott, Sean Smith and Mike Koenen on senior night. Sinnott led the way with 22 points, with the others seniors also posting double-digit marks. In all, five SSU players scored in double figures.

Ironically, NSU's conference and postseason fate -- if the Wolves can win at Minnesota-Morris Saturday --  lies in the hands of Southwest State at the madhouse that is the R/A Facility. After obliterating Minnesota-Morris Wednesday, conference leader Winona State (10-0 NSIC) comes to Marshall Saturday before heading to Northern for the conference and regular season finale next Wednesday.