Dec. 6, 1999

Northern State got back to its winning ways Monday with an 85-81 win over Mount Senario (Ladysmith, Wis.).

After playing even with the Fighting Saints (6-6) for the first eight minutes, the Wolves went on a 13-2 run to open a double-digit lead and coast into halftime with a comfortable 45-27 advantage. To their credit, the Fighting Saints chipped into the lead little by little in the second half and came as close as two points in the final minute of play. But junior guard Jared Miller (Mitchell) put an end to comeback hopes, calmly hitting two free throws with four seconds to play to put the game out of reach and give NSU (3-4) its first win in three games.

Miller, sporting a newly-shaven head, scored a game-high 20 points and just as importantly created open shots for others with his penetration and kick-outs. He finished with four assists. Junior post Ben Dahl (Cottonwood Minn.) tied a career high with 18 points for the third consective game. Dahl has scored 18 four times this season. Senior forward Dan Fischer (Bagley, Minn.) etched a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Freshman Nick Schroeder (Osseo, Minn.) scored a career-high 12 points for NSU to round out the double-digit performers.

Against Mount Senario, NSU's offense provided itself more open looks for shooters than in previous games. Senior point guard Scott Hanson (Tolna, N.D). looks to be returing to form after dealing with ankle surgery the start of NSU's season. Hanson finished with a game- and NSU season-tying high seven assists on the night.

NSU begins its conference campaign with the toughest weekend road trip the NSIC has to offer in men's hoops. In what are sure to be packed houses for the pre-season favorites when the five-time defending conference champs come to town, the Wolves play in Wayne State's Rice Auditorium Friday and Southwest State's R/A Facility Saturday.