The Northern State men’s basketball team bounced back from a Friday setback to take down Southwest Minnesota State 70-63 Saturday night to finish I Hate Winter weekend at Wachs Arena.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory leveled NSU’s league mark at 8-8.
The Wolves jumped out to a 13 point lead with 8:54 remaining in the first half, but the Mustangs clawed back in it. The visitors outscored Northern 15-2 in the closing minutes of the half to take a three-point lead going into halftime.
Marshawn Smith nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to help the Wolves regain the lead in the second half.
The Mustangs tied the game at midway through the half before the NSU used more long-range shooting to eventually take a six-point lead on a Joshua Book three-pointer with 1:09 remaining.
The Wolves closed out the game with six straight free throws to secure the win.
Smith had a game-high 27 points to lead the Wolves. Nelson Reynolds followed with 12, and James Glenn added 10. Tobi Oriora had a team-high 12 rebounds, with Book dishing out 10 assists.
Northern, 8-14 overall, hosts Minnesota Crookston at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Minnesota State Moorhead at 6 p.m. Saturday at Wachs Arena.
To see a complete box score, click on the following link:
