Rally Killers

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Warriors Continuously Hold Off Wolves’ Rallies

Aberdeen, S.D. – #13 Winona State (19-4, 9-1 NSIC) snapped #12 Northern State’s (20-3, 8-2 NSIC) 16 home game winning streak as they pulled out a 82-73 win in front of 6,721 cheering fans at Barnett Center. Winona State out rebounded the Wolves 44 to 28 and 18 to 7 on the offensive end as they take sole possession of first place in the NSIC.

Tonight’s match up was the first time in the history of the NSIC that two teams ranked in the top 15 in the nation have ever met.

Winona State has won the last four regular season meetings with tonight’s win.

This match-up featured five of the top ten scorers in the NSIC, and none of them let anyone down. Winona State had four players in double figures led by the NSIC’s leading scorer David Zellmann. Zellmann scored 20 points in the first 21 minutes of play, but did not score after hitting a three early in the second half. John Smith recorded a double double with 13 points and 13 rebounds while Zach Malvik scored 14.

The other top two scorers in the league were on Northern’s side. Aaron Busack (Sr., C, Redwood Falls, Minn.) scored a team high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He also had six boards and three assists. Matt Hammer (Sr., F, Elkton, S.D.) did not shoot well as he finished the game 3-of-12 for nine points. However, Hammer did dish out ten assists, snatched seven rebounds and swiped three steals in 36 minutes of play.

Northern State found themselves in a hole early as they were down 19-10 six minutes into the game. The Wolves embarked on a 7-0 run over a 1:22 to make it a 26-28 game with six minutes left in the first half. But as they did all night, the Warriors hit big shots to kills Wolves rallies, this one coming on a Zellmann three pointer. He had five in the game.

The Wolves were down five at the break, 38-43.

The Wolves were out rebounded 23 to 13 in the first half and 12 to 3 on the offensive end. The Warriors were able turn that into 13 second chance points.

The Warriors started the second half on a 12-4 run to open up a 55-42 lead.

The Wolves again went on a run, this time a 5-0 run to make it a four point game at 64-60. But the Warriors countered with a 6-0 run of their own to go back up ten with eight minutes to go.

The Wolves would get it down to three with five minutes to go, and four with just over a minute, but they were unable hit the baskets at the end.

The Wolves finished the game 30-of-60 from the floor and 6-of-17 (35%) from three point range. They did struggle, however, from the free throw line where they were 7-of-12 (58%).

Both teams had 13 turnovers in the game.

In order for the Wolves to win the NSIC title and host the NSIC Tournament they would now need to win out and have Winona State lose two of their last four.

The Warriors were 30-of-68 (44%) and 8-of-21 (38%) from long range. At the line they connected on 14 of their 20 attempts (70%).

The Wolves take their last road trip of the regular season when they head to Bemidji State and Minnesota, Crookston next Friday and Saturday. Both games set for 6:00 p.m
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