Dec. 8, 2000

A late surge by Northern State proved too little, too late as Wayne State College (Neb.) defeated the Wolves 80-74 Friday night in Wachs Arena on opening night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

The Wolves (3-4 overall, 0-1 NSIC) were down most of the game and by as many as 16 points in the second half before making a mini-surge near the end of the game. But every time it seemed momentum could flow NSU's way after a big defensive stop or forced turnover, the surge would be quickly thwarted by a shot clanging off the rim. NSU shot just 4-of-18 from 3-point range for the game, making it hard for any comeback attempt to really take form.

Wayne State (2-6, 1-0 NSIC) certainly came into the game as the best 1-6 team in the nation. The Wildcats, a year removed from a North Central Region runner-up campaign, took their lumps early in the year with key players lost, a new head coach to get used to and a rigorous pre-conference schedule. But the 1999-2000 conference co-champions proved they will be right in the mix of the conference race again this season with a tough defensive performance and 53-percent shooting clip on hostile territory in Aberdeen's Wachs Arena.

Northern was led by junior forward Brad Hansen (Tea), who scored a career-best 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting and also led the team in rebounds with eight. Hansen's former career high was 20 points, last season at Concordia-St. Paul. Rounding out NSU's double-digit performers on the night was junior point guard Roland Williams (Ft. Worth, Texas), who netted 11 points. For WSC, Brad Joens led the way with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting and four 3-pointers.

Tomorrow night's game against conference pre-season favorite and nationally ranked Southwest State may not seem like the best medicine for a Wolves club going through offensive lapses, but the opportunity to take on another conference powerhouse so soon after dropping a tough game tonight may also be just what the doctor ordered if the Wolves can come up with a win tomorrow night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 in Wachs Arena.