Northern State struggled shooting from distance and eventually fell to Sioux Falls 81-65 Friday night at Wachs Arena.

The Wolves, who never led in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference contest, shot just 4-of-27 from 3-point range.

The visiting Cougars built a double-digit lead in the opening half and NSU was never able to get the margin under seven points the rest of the way. The Wolves trailed 50-43 with 15:39 left in the game before USF went on a 10-3 spurt to help secure the victory.

Joshua Book topped Northern with 17 points. Marshawn Smith followed with 11, Simon Akena contributed 10, and Benjamin Bowen finished with nine.

Northern, 7-14 overall and 7-8 in the NSIC, will take host Southwest Minnesota State on the second day of the I Hate Winter weekend. Tip-off is set for 6 this evening.

To a complete box score of Friday night’s game, click on the following link:

https://nsuwolves.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2025-26/sioux-falls-i-hate-winter-/boxscore/14124