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Wolves Saddle Mustangs 63-49

Aberdeen, S.D. – No. 20 Northern State (22-4, 10-3 NSIC) pulled away late in a defensive battle as they saddled the Mustangs of SW Minnesota State (13-13, 5-8 NSIC) 63-49 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. Northern State senior Adam Grant (F, Berthold, N.D.) scored his 1,000 th point in the Wolves win.

The first half was a physical, defensive battle. The score was 23-20 in favor of the Wolves at the intermission. The Mustangs shot only 26% (5-19) from the field and turned the ball over 12 times leading to 11 Northern State points. The Wolves were 9-of-26 (35%) from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line in the first half.

The Wolves started the second half on a 10-3 run to go up ten, 33-23 with 17 minutes to go. The Mustangs would get as close as six with eleven minutes to go, but the Wolves countered with a 9-0 to put the game away.

Adam Grant came into the game needing just two points to get to 1,000 in his career. His first opportunity was at the free throw line in the first half. He missed the first and made the second. Then in the second half Grant got another opportunity at the charity stripe. This time he hit the first and missed the second, but still was able to notch his 1,000 th point – no more, no less.

Aaron Busack (Sr., C, Redwood Falls, Minn.) scored a game high 21 points as he moved past Jeremy Vliem for 14 th all-time in scoring at NSU with 1,560 points. Matt Hammer (Sr., F, Elkton, S.D.) also passed Vliem, and now sit 15 th all-time with 1,555 career points after scoring 16. Hammer also had seven rebounds and seven assists in the game. CraigNelson (R-So., F, Mayville, N.D.) was the other Wolf in double figures with 10 points.

The Mustangs were led by Matt Fletcher’s 12 points, although he was only 3-of-13 from the field.

For the game the Wolves were 23-of-48 (48%) from the field while Mustangs were 14-of-49 (28.6%). The Wolves were only 2-of-10 from the three point line while the Mustangs were 5-of-18 (28%).

The Wolves host Wayne State (NE) tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. at Barnett Center to finish the NSIC regular season. The Wolves will secure a solo second place finish with a win.

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