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Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team is headed to Sioux Falls, this Saturday for the Quarterfinal round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament, after an 82-80 victory over Southwest Minnesota State. The Wolves improve to 18-11 overall, and end the Mustangs season from Wachs Arena.
 
Redshirt freshman Ian Smith was hot for the Wolves knocking down a career high and team leading 18 points. Smith shot 7-of-11 from the floor and added two rebounds and two steals. Darin Peterka was close behind with 17 points, and a team leading nine rebounds. Peterka shot an even 50 percent from the floor and two of the team's six 3-point baskets. Skye Warwick and DJ Pollard also landed in double digits with 14 and ten points respectively.
 
The Wolves placed the Mustangs on their heels in the first half, and entered the locker with a commanding 42-29 lead. Northern shot 48.6 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from the arc in the first 20 minutes of action, while holding their opponents to a 33.3 percentage from field goal range.
 
Southwest did not back down easily, as the Mustangs fought back with 51 points in the second half. Although SMSU was unable to capture the lead, they shook up the NSU defense and came within a close two points. The Mustangs had their chances in the final ten seconds of action, however solid defense by the Wolves and a pair of missed 3-point baskets by Ryan Bruggeman led to the NSU victory.
 
The two teams were even with 26 total points off the bench, however Northern edged out Southwest with 32 points in the paint, 16 points off turnovers, and eight second chance points. The Wolves also hit the boards for a game leading 39 in the win. Eight of the nine players who entered the game for NSU reeled in multiple rebounds.
 
Freshman Bo Fries has come into his own as of late, tallying nine points and playing 32 minutes for the squad. Fries also added six rebounds, a team leading two blocks, one steal, and one assist. Carter Evans followed with six points, while Mack Arvidson and Michael Schreiber notched five and three off the bench.
 
NSU struggled a bit from the foul line, letting the Mustangs creep back into the game. Northern hit 22-of-34 free shots, led by Pollard and Peterka with five each.
 
Northern will face off against Winona State at 8 p.m. Saturday in the final quarterfinal of the day. The Warriors entered the bracket as the No. 3 seed in the south and defeated Minot State University 74-63. NSU defeated WSU 68-64 earlier this season.