WOLVES CAN'T OVERCOME SLOW START IN OVERTIME LOSS TO MSU

January 3, 2004

Moorhead, Minn. - Despite the best efforts of Adam Grant and company to stage a second half rally and send the game to overtime, the Wolves could not muster enough offense to overcome Minnesota State Moorhead in a 70-67 loss on Saturday night.

The Wolves began the game ice cold hitting just 25 percent from the floor in the first half and earning just 22 first-half points. Luckily for NSU, the Dragons weren't much better hitting at a 29 percent clip in the opening period as MSUM went into the break up 25-22.

In the second half, both teams seemed to catch fire. Moorhead got things going a bit quicker than the Wolves using a 15-3 run to go up 50-36 with 8:12 remaining in the game.

The Wolves were not about to go away, however, as Adam Grant hit three long-range shots to pull NSU even with the home team 52-52 with 2:59 to play in regulation.

MSUM's Deandre Buchanan hit a shot and a free throw to give the Dragons a three-point lead but Grant pulled the Wolves within one on a jumper before Steve Smiley hit two free throws to give NSU a 56-55 advantage with 1:36 to play.

On the other end, Buchanan hit one-of-two charity shots to even the score, once again, as neither team was able to hit a shot to clinch the game in regulation.

In overtime, the game remained even until MSUM's Chris Anderson drained a three followed by free throws from Eric Prchal and Anderson to put the Dragons up 66-61 with :34 to play.

The Wolves pulled within two on a Jarod Obering three but Ridas Globys and Rob Sullivan hit two free throw each to seal the game for Minnesota State.

The Wolves did rally to shoot nearly 36 percent for the game and hit a decent 11-of-28 from three-point range. The shooting difference in the game came at the free throw line where MSUM hit 78.6 percent including a 9-11 peformance in OT while NSU hit 62 percent from the charity stripe.

Adam Grant led NSU with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Aaron Busack added 16 on the night. Jarod Obering cashed in three three-pointers and ended the contest with 11 points on the game as Steve Smiley recorded a game high eight assists on the evening, as well.

The Wolves won the battle on the boards collecting 38 compared to MSUM's 34.

NSU faces Bemidji State on Tuesday night in Bemidji, Minn. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

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