Third Time's a Charm

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Don Meyer and Wolves Win First Regional Game in Three Years

Winona, Minn. – No. 15 Northern State (26-5) won their first NCAA Regional game since 1998 after they defeated Metropolitan State College of Denver (21-10) 72-67 in the first round of the North Central Region in Winona, Minn. Northern State is now 4-6 in NCAA Regional play and 1-1 versus Metro State after losing last year in the first round in Denver to the Roadrunners.

Aaron Busack (Sr., C, Redwood Falls, Minn.) tied a season high as he scored 25 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 11-of-13 from the free throw line. Busack also had seven rebounds in his 27 minutes. The Wolves had a huge free-throw advantage as they were 20-of-28 compared to only 3-of-6 for the Roadrunners.

Matt Hammer (Sr., F, Elkton, S.D.) had another solid performance as he finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in 37 minutes of play.

The Wolves now advance to the NCAA North Central Regional Semi-finals on Sunday, March 12 th at 5:00 p.m. against the second seeded Fort Hays Tigers in Winona, Minn.

Metro State came out hotter than a pistol as they connected on their first four three-pointers to take an early 14-5 lead with 14:20 remaining in the first half. The Wolves turned the ball over on four of their first seven possessions. Northern State rallied back, however, with a 15-0 run over a seven minute span to take a 20-14 lead, capped off by a Kevin Ratzsch (R-Fr., F, Bloomington, Ill.) fast break lay-up on a Hammer assist. Ratzsch finished with four points.

The Wolves would extend their lead to as many as 11, 36-25 with two minutes remaining in the half, but the Roadrunners ended the half on a 5-0 run to make it a six point game at the half, 36-30. Metro State was 0-2 in the first half from the free throw line, with their first attempt coming with 48 seconds left.

Metro State continued their run as they started the second half on a 7-2 run, making it 38-37 with 17 minutes to play. Metro would then take their first lead since 11:43 left in the first half on a Dustin Ballard lay-up making it a 40-41 affair. The two teams would exchange leads before Metro opened up a 51-55 lead with 8:15 remaining.

Craig Nelson (R-So., G, Mayville, N.D.) hit his biggest three pointer of the game at the 7:48 mark to move the Wolves to within one. Nelson was 4-of-6 from the field, all three pointers, as he finished with 12 points.

Matt Hammer put the Wolves up at the 6:55 mark after a traditional three point play, making it 58-57 ball games.

With the game was tied at 65, Busack picked up another tradition three point play to put the Wolves up three the under a minute to go. The Roadrunners would come as close as one, but Busack and Hammer finished the game hitting all five of their free throws.

The Wolves finished the game 22-of-45 (49%) from the field and 8-of-17 from three point range. The Roadrunners were 26-of-60 (43%) from the field and 12-of-23 from long range. The Wolves turned the ball over 15 times compared to only nine for Metro.

 

Full NCAA Bracket (64 Teams)

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