UND HANDS NORTHERN THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS

December 11 , 2002

GRAND FORKS N.D. - Northern State suffered its fourth loss of the season on Wednesday night, 73-70, to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D.

Just like all of Northern's losses this season, the Wolves were in it until the end but a Sundance Wicks shot was just off the mark at the final buzzer.

The Wolves jumped out to an 11-point lead with 7:45 remaining in the first half at 27-16 but UND scored 12 unanswered to reclaim the lead just 1:15 later.

Northern quickly regained a scoring advantage and took a 36-33 lead into the locker room.

The game remained close in the second with North Dakota holding a small lead for the majority of the half. NSU's Sundance Wicks hit two free throws at the 4:19 mark to give Northern a 68-67 advantage.

The teams traded baskets to keep the Northern lead at one but Mario Porter hit a three to put the Sioux up 70-68 with 1:12 to play. Northern countered when true freshman Aaron Busack hit a turn-around with :52 to tie the score at 70-70 but UND's Jeff Brandt hit a clutch three from well behind the three-point arch with :28 to give the Sioux a three-point lead.

UND got the ball back and missed the front end of a one-and-one to give NSU one last chance but Wicks' shot was just off to allow UND to hold on for the three-point win.

--NSU's Jarod Obering led the Wovles in scoring with 17 points. He hit four threes on the night.

--Sundance Wicks posted his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and ten rebounds.

--Aaron Busack netted 14 points and Dan Lund score ten.

--Obering led the team with seven assists on the night.

--Northern shot over 47 percent from the floor while holding UND to 44 percent. NSU was 10-for-25 from three point range (.400)

--NSU hosts South Dakota State on Saturday night at 7:30.

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