NO. 8 ST. CLOUD STATE TOO MUCH FOR WOLVES IN SECOND HALF

Nov. 28, 2001

Not this night -- Steve Smiley, left, and Sundance Wicks combined for five steals but couldn't lead NSU to an upset over No. 8 St. Cloud State Wednesday.

St. Cloud State proved worthy of its No. 8 national ranking Wednesday night by handling Northern State 84-68 in NSU's Barnett Center.

The Huskies (3-0) outscored NSU 50-39 in the second half after Northern (3-2) played a very competitive first half.

Northern's defense created 13 turnovers in the first half but the Wolves were unable to cash in on the scoreboard, shooting only 30 percent in the first half and 36 percent for the game. Meanwhile, SCSU shot 52 percent on th evening.

The Wolves were led by senior guard Drew Gruver (Scott City, Kan.), who scored 15 points. Junior forward Sundance Wicks (Gillette, Wyo.) chipped in 11 and led the team in rebounding with senior post Andy Foster (Caledonia, Minn.), each grabbing eight boards. Senior post Brad Hansen (Tea) rounded out NSU's double-digit scorers with 11 points to go with three blocks. St. Cloud State was led by BJ Brant's 19 points and nine rebounds.

Northern's schedule doesn't get any easier from here, as they are set to face No. 12 South Dakota State on the road Saturday. Tip-off in Frost Arena is set for 8 p.m.