NORTHERN TAKES TWO-GAME LEAD IN NSIC RACE WITH 77-56 WIN OVER UMC

February 14, 2002

Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern State men's basketball team jumped out to a two-game lead in the NSIC race with a 77-56 victory over the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Friday night in Wachs Arena.

The Wolves stumbled out of the gate trailing 14-2 after the first 5:31 of the ball game. But the Wolves came right back making an impressive 20-3 run in the next eight minutes.

Northern held a 34-29 advantage at halftime but came out firing on all cylinders in the second half taking a 22-point lead with 11:43 to go in the game.

The Wolves then put the game on cruise control holding off the Golden Eagles by 21 with the 77-56 victory.

Sundance Wicks led Northern State with 15 points on the evening. Aaron Busack came in with 14 on 5-of-6 shooting while Dustin Hjelmeland added 10 points and seven boards.

Joe Hasz led all scorers for UMC with 23 on the night. With the effort, Hasz surpasses 1,800 career points with 1,802.

Northern now leads the NSIC by two games over Southwest State as the Mustangs knocked off Winona State in overtime on Friday.

The Wolves host MSU Moorhead Saturday night in Wachs Arena.

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