Wolves Stand Firm In Physical Contest

January 23, 2004

Aberdeen, S.D. - In a battle of grit and toughness, the Northern State University Wolves stood their ground and came out victorious Friday night against the Winona State Warriors.

Senior- Steve Smiley

From the outset of the contest that it was going to be a well-contested game. The first half consisted of nine lead changes with most of the time spent in a one to three point game. With 4:32 remaining in the first half NSU would go on their first significant run of the game. For the next two minutes and three seconds the Wolves would use a Steve Smiley layup, courtesy of Tate Plaas, and free throws by Aaron Busack, Luke Wicks, and Plaas to put together a 7-0 run. However, the Warriors would fight their way back cutting the 39-33 defecit to a 41-38 half-time score. Northern was led by Sophomore Aaron Busack with 16 points in the first half.

Northern came out strong in the second half with a strong start. The two teams continued to balance each other until midway through the half the Wolves would use a 20-4 to break the game open. At one point the Wolves were able to extend the lead to a 22 point margin.

Soph - Adam Grant

In the second half, the duo of Adam Grant and Steve Smiley led the way for the Wolves. With Busack cooling off, Adam Grant provided 14 of his team high 19 points in the second session. If Grant supplied the "fire," Smiley brought the "ice." Smiley's calm cool play helped keep the Wolves efficient and on-task. Smiley's strong performance included 10 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Together, the "fire and ice" combo provided 29 of the Wolves 42 second half points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and six steals.

The Warriors were led by Travis Leech and David Zellmann. The duo has been providing the scoring punch all season for the Warriors and Friday night was no different. The sharp-shooting Zellmann helped keep the Warrios in the contest going three of four from three-point land. While Leech aggressively tested the Wolves interior defense.

With the win, Northern moves to 4-2 in NSIC action and 12-5 overall. The Wolves battle Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday night. Tip-off time is 8:00 pm.

Statistics