WOLVES EDGE BULLDOGS IN NSIC DOGFIGHT

Feb. 16, 2002

Shooters keep shooting NSU junior guard Nick Schroeder, shown shooting a free-throw against Minnesota-Duluth Saturday night, was 1-of-11 from the field when he nailed his final, game-winning shot against the Bulldogs.

NSU junior guard Nick Schroeder (Plymouth, Minn.) sent Northern State's "I Hate Winter" night crowd of over 6,000 into a frenzy by sinking a clutch jumper with 14 seconds remaining to give his team the lead for good Saturday night in a hard-fought 63-61 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over Minnesota-Duluth.

NSU led by as many as 11 in the second half but was in for a roller-coaster ride down the stretch with six lead changes in the final five minutes of play.

After Schroeder's shot, which gave NSU a 62-61 lead, the Wolves came up with a huge defensive stop and junior forward Sundance Wicks (Gillette, Wyo.) an equally large rebound with three seconds remaining. UMD fouled Wicks, who sank one of two free throws and came up with the game-ending steal on UMD's desperation full-court throw in.

NSU accomplished its sixth "under 10 in 10" this season, holding Duluth to single digits during the first 10 minutes of the game. That defensive effort helped the team build a 33-19 lead at halftime.

But UMD's Chris Stanley kept his team in the game early and led the comeback charge in the second half. He ended with a game-high 23 points.

Senior post Brad Hansen (Tea) was the only NSU player to register double digits with 22 points to go with eight rebouinds. Wicks also had eight boards. UMD post Jason Schneeweis had a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards.

Schroeder ended with six points and was an uncharacteristic 2-of-11 from the field, but lived up to the his nickname "Nylon Nick," given by NSU radio personalities Rob Waltman and Vaughn Kary by never wavering in confidence and sticking his final game-winning shot.

The win moved NSU head coach Don Meyer into 12th on college men's basketball's all-division career winningest list. He passed legendary Kansas coach Phog Allen, who racked up a 746-264 record through 48 years of coaching. In his 30th season, Meyer is now 747-254.

With the win, Northern (18-7, 13-4 NSIC) reaffirmed its place in the conference elite after a loss to Bemidji State Friday night dropped the team from sole possession of first place. With one week remaining on the conference regular season docket, NSU has a half-game lead, but three teams are right behind with the same number of losses. NSU ends the regular season at travel partner Minnesota-Morris, while every other team will finish with two games.

Bemidji State and Minnesota-Duluth end with home games against Concordia-St. Paul and Winona State, while Southwest State travels to MSU-Moorhead and Minnesota-Crookston.

Here are the current NSIC standings: