NORTHERN SENIORS STEP UP IN THRILLING OVERTIME WIN OVER UM-DULUTH

January 17, 2002

WICKS

Aberdeen, S.D. - Nick Schroeder hit for seven points while Sundance Wicks had five in Northern State's overtime victory over Minnesota-Duluth on Friday night in front of nearly 4,000 fans in Wachs Arena.

The Wolves held the lead for the entire game until 6:02 left in the game when Nick Cheney hit a three to give the Bulldogs their first advantage of the night, 56-55.

Northern would see just two more one-point leads regulation and found themselves down by four with just :18 seconds to play when Sundance Wicks would step up and gun down a three to make it a 66-65 game with :07 remaining.

UMD's Denny Hudson would hit on just one-of-two free throws and give Northern an opportunity to tie or take the lead with :07 to go in the contest.

SCHROEDER

Northern then dribbled the length of the floor and got the ball to Sundance Wicks who threw up a last second three that fell off the mark but a foul was called on Duluth on the shot giving Wicks an opportunity to keep the Wolves in it with 0.5 seconds to go.

Wicks drained the first two but missed his third and the Wolves found themselves in their fifth overtime game of the season.

In the extra period, UMD went up by one with a Denny Hudson free throw but then, it turned into the Schroeder and Sunny show for NSU as Schroeder hit from downtown to put the Wolves up two followed by a Wicks layin to give NSU the four-point advantage.

Jason Schneeweis hit two free throws but Wicks answered on the other end yet again with his fifth three-pointer of the night to build the Northern lead to five.

UMD wasn't done, however, as Marcus Jackson and Matt Williams each hit unanswered buckets to pull their team within one with :38 to go in OT.

UMD fouled Nick Schroeder with :29 and "Nylon" Nick hit both charity shots to make the lead 77-74. UMD couldn't capitalize on its possession and Schroeder hit one-of-two from the line to push the lead to four.

UMD then drove and drew a foul with :05 when Matt Williams hit one-of-two to bring the game within three but Schroeder came up with the rebound on Williams' second shot and drew the foul to ice the game with a free throw with :03 to play.

"This was a game that not too many people will forget," said Head Coach Don Meyer after his team's win. "It was a great lesson in 'it's not over till' it's over.' It was over (tonight), but we kept fouling and stayed in the game."

The Wolves were led by Wicks' 23 points. Sundance also pulled down seven boards to lead the way for NSU.

UMD's Jason Schneeweis posted a double-double with 23 points and a game high 15 boards.

Nick Schroeder finished with 15 points on the night. Seven of those points came in OT. Nick hit 3-of-6 from long-range on the night.

Both teams fared better from long range than from short as UMD hit 9-of-17 (.529) on threes while NSU was 14-of-30 (.467) on the night.

NSU's Dustin Hjelmeland hit for 13 on the night while Steve Smiley pulled down six rebounds and dished out a game high seven assists. Smiley also recorded three steals on the night for the Wolves.

The win moves NSU's winning streak to five games and improves its NSIC record to 6-1 just 1/2 game back of 6-0 Winona State.

Northern (9-6, 6-1 NSIC) hosts Bemidji State Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in Wachs Arena.

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