Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 11 Northern State University men's basketball team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Sanford/Health NSIC Basketball with a 80-52 victory over Concordia-St. Paul from Wachs Arena. The Wolves improve to 28-3 overall, heading into a 12 p.m. match-up on Saturday from the Sanford Pentagon.
Northern made quick work of Concordia, notching 49 points in the first and 31 in the second. The Wolves shot 53.2 percent from the floor, 30.0 percent from the arc, and 61.5 percent from the free throw line. They out-rebounded the Golden Bears 40-34, and forced 12 turnovers while giving up just nine.
As a team, the Wolves combined for 46 points in the paint, 29 points off the bench, 19 points off turnovers, 13 second chance points, and four fast break points. They added six made 3-pointers, 19 assists, six steals, and four blocks.
Logan Doyle led five in double figures with 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench. The senior shot 66.7 percent from the floor, and added two assists and one steal. It was a tag team of the Northern State "bigs" as
Carter Evans tallied a team second best 13 points and seven rebounds. Evans shot 55.6 percent from the floor and led the team with four assists and three blocks.
Darin Peterka notched 12 points, knocking down a team leading two from beyond the arc. He shot 50.0 percent from the floor, and recorded three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Ian Smith and
Bo Fries rounded out the Wolves in double figures with ten points apiece. Fries hit two long range baskets of his own, and shot 80.0 percent from the floor. Smith led the team with four assists and three steals, adding four rebounds and shooting at a 50.0 percent clip.
DJ Pollard and
Gabe King added nine and seven points respectively as members of the starting five. Pollard tallied five rebounds and one assist, while King notched seven rebounds and three assists.
Justin Decker hit the final four points for the Wolves, going a perfect 2-for-2 from the floor. He added two rebounds as well.
Northern returns to action this Saturday from the Sanford Pentagon. The Wolves will face off at 12 p.m. against the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth.