AUGUSTANA HANDS NORTHERN 76-70 OVERTIME LOSS

December 4 , 2002

SIOUX FALLS , S.D. - Northern State played in its second overtime game in as many tries Wednesday night against Augustana. This time, however, the Wolves came up on the low end of the scoreboard with a 76-70 loss to the Vikings in Sioux Falls.

The first half was a slow one, offensively speaking, as the teams worked towards a 27-27 tie at the half. Northern seemed to have a bit of an edge, however, having led by as many as seven in the first period of play.

In the second, Northern made a 12-4 run out of the locker room to gain a 39-31 lead but the Vikings would rally mounting a 9-0 run of their own and taking a one-point lead, 40-39, with 10:33 to play.

The teams would exchange leads five times in the next two minutes before NSU held the lead for seven minutes. At the 2:13 mark, Augie's Corey Thompson hit a jumper to put the Vikings up 57-56. They would then throw in a dunk by Michael Smellie before Northern was able to hit a shot to keep the game a one-point affair at 59-58 Vikings.

Augustana's Smellie hit two key free throws with :25 left in regulation but Northern's Jarod Obering hit a three-pointer from the top of the key with :04 left to send the game to an extra period.

In overtime, Northern took a quick 63-61 lead but Augustana rolled off nine straight points to make the score 70-63 with 1:50 left. There was no quit in the Wolves, however, as Northern pulled within five and then two and finally one at 71-70 with :18 to play. Augustana would hit five-of-six free throws down the stretch without NSU gaining a basket to leave the Wolves with the 76-70 loss.

--Northern's Sundance Wicks posted his third double-double of the season with 17 points and ten rebounds to lead NSU in each category.

--True freshman Matt Hammer added a career high 16 points for the Wolves.

--Aaron Busack posted a 14 point, eight rebound night.

--NSU's Jarod Obering added 14 points with eight of those coming in the last four seconds of regulation and the overtime period.

--The Wolves shot just five free throws on the night. They made just one.

--Northern was outrebounded by the Vikings 43 to 32 on the night.

--Northern is now 2-3 in overtime games under Head Coach Don Meyer.

--NSU plays at the University of South Dakota on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Vermillion, S.D.

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