TOUGH DEFENSE LIFTS WOLVES TO VICTORY OVER SOUTHWEST STATE

January 4, 2002

NSU's Aaron Busack shoots over a Southwest State defender in Saturday's win over the Mustangs.

Aberdeen, S.D. - The Wolves held Southwest State to just four points in the last 8:45 of the game in their 67-60 win over the Mustangs on Saturday night in the Barnett Center.

The lead switched hands six times in the first half but SSU used a Brian Wiersma three followed by a Jacob Fahl jumper to take a 33-31 lead into the break.

The Mustangs built their lead up to six with 10:40 to play and would hold on to a four-point advantage, 56-52, with 8:45 remaining in the game.

At that point, NSU poured on a heavy dose of "Wolf D" to make a 15-4 run to close out the game with the 67-60 victory.

Northern's Sundance Wicks (right) looks to pass against SSU's Jimmy Dekker late in the game on Saturday. Wicks hit for a game high 18 points and eight boards on the night.

--Northern's Sundance Wicks paced the Wolves with a game high 18 points and eight rebounds in the game.

--Adam Grant tossed in 14 points (ten second half points) off the bench for the Wolves. Grant hit 7-of-8 free throws on the night.

--Steve Smiley hit for ten points and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line.

--The Wolves held a whopping 33 to 23 advantage on the glass.

--Northern shot at a 51.2 percent clip from the floor. They were 12-of-20 (.600) in the first half.

--Southwest State was led by a 16-point performance by Jared Keaveny who hit 4-of-6 from three-point range. Jacob Fahl added 14 for the Mustangs.

--Nick Schroeder and Aaron Busack each pulled down seven rebounds for NSU.

--Northern State will travel to Minnesota State Moorhead on Friday night for a 7:30 matchup with the Dragons.

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