For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet (PDF)



NSIC Men's Basketball Players of the Week

NSIC North Division Player of the Week
#22 Scottie Stone (G, 6-4, 200, Sr., Melrose, Minn./ Melrose HS)
St. Cloud State
- Scored 30 points per game in a 63-58 win over UMD and a 99-77 win over Jamestown
- Totaled 30 points and six rebounds against Jamestown and 30 points and five rebounds against UMD
- Hit a three that put SCSU ahead for good at the three-minute mark in a game that featured 17 lead changes against UMD
- Shot 48.5 percent from the field (16-for-33), 50 percent from three-point range (12-for-24), 94.1 percent from the free throw line (16-for-17)
- Added 11 rebounds and a steal while averaging 32 minutes per game

NSIC South Division Player of the Week
#10 Jon Fuqua (F, 6-5, 215, Sr., Maywood, Ill. / Walther Lutheran)
Minnesota State
- Led Minnesota State in scoring with an average of 19.5 ppg in a 86-82 win at CSP and a 102-57 win over Waldorf
- Shot 65.2% from the field
- Shot 75% from the free throw line
- Scored a game-high 20 points against Waldorf
- Averaged 5.5 rebounds per game
 - Named NSIC Player of the Week for the second time this season (11/15/16)

 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 93-60 at Wayne State W 81-45 vs. Doane	10-2, 5-1 NSIC	W3	2nd Overall, 2nd South
Team Notes
- Augustana went on the road on Saturday and picked up a 93-60 win over Wayne State - The Vikings returned home on Monday for their final non-conference game of the season - In Monday night’s win, 11 different players scored and the Vikings earned an 81-45 win over Doane - Augustana was firing on all cylinders at Wayne State on Saturday - The Vikings shot a season-high 62.7 percent from the field and knocked down a season-high 18 3-pointers - The 18 3-pointers by the Vikings is the second-most in a single game in program history - In Monday’s win over Doane, Augustana had 11 different players score, led by Mike Busack’s 17 points - The Vikings shot 49.3 percent from the field and hit 12-of-14 free throws in the win - Augustana held Doane to just six field goals in the second half and forced 22 turnovers - Marcus Asmus put up a career-high 15 points and six rebounds against Doane
Top Performer(s)
- Sophomore guard John Warren had a career-best day at Wayne State on Saturday - Warren went off for a career-high 30 points in the win over the Wildcats - Warren was 11 of 14 from the field, hitting a career-high seven 3-pointers finishing 7 of 10 from behind the arc - Warren also added four rebounds, two steals and a block against the Wildcats - Warren pitched in with six points, four assists and two steals against Doane on Monday - Jordan Spencer averaged 12.5 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in the two wins - Spencer registered his third double-double of the season at Wayne State on Saturday finishing with 19 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds - Mike Busack finished with five points and four rebounds at Wayne State before finishing with 17 points and five rebounds against Doane on Monday
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 vs. Southwest Minnesota State - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Sioux Falls - 6 p.m.

 

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 82-81 at UMC	3-7, 1-4 NSIC	L4	14th Overall, 7th North
Team Notes
- Bemidji State fell to Minnesota Crookston, 82-81, after a last-second free throw - UMC won its second game in the last 17 against BSU - BSU lost for the second time this season while shooting at least 50.0 percent from the field - The potential game-winning layup by junior guard Sharif Black was blocked as time expired - The Beavers held a 31-27 lead at halftime but allowed the Golden Eagles to shoot 55.9 percent from the field in the second half
Top Performer(s)
- Senior forward Ben Best and freshman Jai’Vionne Green led BSU in scoring for the second consecutive game with 22 points each - Best shot 9-of-11 and 81.8 percent from the field while grabbing five rebounds - Junior guard Sharif Black recorded 17 points with two rebounds and two assists
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 at Upper Iowa – 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at Winona State – 6 p.m.

 

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 69-87 vs BU L 82-86 vs MSU	4-8, 1-4 NSIC	L2	11th Overall, 7th South
Team Notes
- Dropped a non-conference contest to Bethel 87-69 on Friday before falling just short by a score of 86-82 to MSU on Saturday - CSP finished with a higher field goal percentage (47.6%-45.0%) and three-point percentage (41.2%-39.6%) than their opponents - Concordia took a lead into the second half and led as late at 68-67 with 3:28 left in the game with MSU
Top Performer(s)
- Max Keefe paced in the Golden Bears with 16.5 points on 63.2% (12-19) from the floor in 21.0 minutes per game - Bryndan Matthews chipped in 13.0 points on 52.4% (11-21) shooting to go along with a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 at Northern State – 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at MSU Moorhead – 6 p.m.

University of Mary Marauders

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 82-75 at Minot State	5-7, 3-3 NSIC	L2	10th Overall,4th North
Team Notes
- UMary’s three-game win streak was snapped 82-75 at Minot State on Saturday - The Marauders are tops in the NSIC in turnover margin at +4.5 and 20th in the country. Mary outscored MISU 17-8 in point off turnovers after forcing 18 turnovers and committing seven - The NSIC leaders in steals/game, the Marauders average 6.8/game - The Marauders close out the 2016 calendar year at Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State on Dec. 30-31
Top Performer(s)
- Sr. F Bryan Jefferson became the 18th University of Mary men’s basketball player to reach 1,000 points in his career. Needing 18 points entering the last game before Christmas break, Jefferson posted 21 at Minot State. He is the 1st Mary player to reach 1,000 points since Anthony Moody and Jordan Wilhelm in 2011. Jefferson hit 8-of-12 field goals, was 5-for-5 at the free throw line and hauled down nine rebounds against the Beavers - Sr. G Damonta Henry cleared 900 career points against Minot State after leading the Marauders with 25 points. Henry hit 9-of-16 shots and made three steals - Sr. F Isaac Lindquist registered 13 points and four rebounds against the Beavers. It was the second straight game he posted double figures in points
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 at Minnesota Duluth - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at St. Cloud State - 6 p.m.

 
 

University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 82-81 vs BSU; W 83-37 at OHCC	5-6, 1-4 NSIC	W2	16th Overall, 8th North
Team Notes
- UMC averaged 82.5 points per game last week with wins over Bemidji State and Oak Hills Christian - Gable Smith hit a free throw with three seconds remaining to help the Golden Eagles to an 82-81 win over Bemidji State - He also had a crucial block of Sharif Black last second shot to preserve the win - UMC shot 47.6 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from beyond the arc against Bemidji State last Thursday - The Golden Eagles had 13 assists to eight turnovers against Bemidji State Thursday - UMC won 83-37 over Oak Hills Christian Saturday -  11 players scored in the Oak Hills Christian win - The Golden Eagles shot 43.7 percent from the field against Oak Hills Christian - Minnesota Crookston had 19 assists to eight turnovers against Oak Hills Christian
Top Performer(s)
- Harrison Cleary had 17 points against Oak Hills Christian - Connor Gamble tallied 13 points against Oak Hills Christian - Darin Viken had nine points and 10 rebounds against Oak Hills Christian - Harrison Cleary tied his career high with 34 points against Bemidji State - Chase Knickerbocker set a career high with 24 points against Bemidji State
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30  at Winona State - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31  at Upper Iowa - 6 p.m.

 

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 63-58 vs. SCSU L  85-76 vs. UWP	1-9, 1-4 NSIC	L4	12th Overall, 6th North
Team Notes
- UMD fell to St. Cloud State despite holding the lead with under four minutes to play - The Bulldogs were unable to complete a comeback against Wisconsin-Parkside, falling by nine points - UMD has now had eight different players lead the team in scoring in a single game this season - The Bulldogs’ 76 points against UWP tied the highest scoring output of the season
Top Performer(s)
- Trenton Krueger recorded a career high 16 points and eight rebounds against Parkside - Brandon Myer notched 22 points and nine rebounds over two games - Josh Washburn combined for 17 points in the two losses
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 vs. U-Mary – 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Minot State – 6 p.m.

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	2016-17 Standings
W 86-82 at CSP W 102-57 vs. Waldorf	7-4, 2-3 NSIC	W2	1st Overall, 1st South
Team Notes
- Minnesota State went 2-0 this past weekend as it defeated Concordia-St. Paul 86-82 on the road and Waldorf 102-57 - The Mavericks connected on 28-of-31 (.903) opportunities from the free throw line against CSP - Senior Aarias Austin led the Mavericks with 24 points against CSP - Four Mavericks recorded at least 10 points against the Golden Bears - MSU has now won four straight games against Concordia-St. Paul - MSU’s 102 points scored vs. Waldorf represent the second time this season MSU has scored more than 100 points in a game - The Mavericks averaged 94 points and 41.5 rebounds this past week
Top Performers
Senior Aarias – 16.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 5-of-11 (.455) 3pt, 12-of-14 (.857)  FT% Senior Jon Fuqua – 19.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 15-of-23 (.652) FG%
Next Week
Friday, Dec. 30 at MSU Moorhead - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at Northern State - 6 p.m.

 

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 117-118 2OT vs, NSU W 81-59 vs. Mayville	10-2, 5-1 NSIC	W1	3rd Overall, 1st North
Team Notes
- Dragons went 1-1 on the week - MSUM saw its eight-game winning streak end with a 118-117 double overtime loss to Northern State on Saturday - Dragons split season series with Northern with both games decided by one point - Dragons bounced back with 81-59 win over Mayville State on Monday as five MSUM players scored in double figures.
Top Performer(s)
- Junior guard Tanner Kretchman had a career-high 41 points in a 118-117 double overtime loss to Northern State; Kretchman averaged 25.5 points and 7.5 assists per game for the week while shooting 56 percent from the field - Senior guard Aaron Lien averaged 21.0 points and 3.0 assists for the week while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and scored a career-high 36 points against Northern State - Matt Anderson had 15 points off the bench in the loss to Northern State - Freshman G Evan Hines had 11 points against Mayville State while senior F Matt Nelson had 10
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 vs. Minnesota State - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Concordia-St. Paul - 6 p.m.

 Minot State University B

Minot State University Beavers

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Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 82-75 vs. MARY	6-6, 2-4 North	W1	T12th Overall, 5th North
Team Notes
- Finished a three-game homestand with a 2-1 record after topping rival University of Mary 82-75 Saturday - Outrebounded the Marauders 46-28 and finished with 17 assists on 29 baskets - Improved their home record to 6-1 in 2016-17 and 17-5 over the past two seasons including nine wins in their past 11 home NSIC games - Had four players in double figures and two who earned double-doubles
Top Performer(s)
- Russ Davis hit 8 of 10 3-pointers to pace Minot State with a career-high 25 points, adding two rebounds and an assist - Stevan Jovanovic earned his first double-double of the year, scoring 16 points and adding 10 rebounds to go along with three assists and a steal - Tyler Rudolph notched his third double-double of the year, his second in a row against the Marauders and the 16th of his career with 12 points – all in the second half – and 11 rebounds to go with two blocks and an assist - Luis Ricci Maia and Nathan Mertens combined for 17 points and 11 assists with just five turnovers running the point
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 at St. Cloud State – 8 p.m Saturday, Dec. 31 at Minnesota Duluth – 6 p.m.

Northern State University Wolves

Last Week – 1-0	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 118-117 2OT at MSUM	8-4, 4-2 NSIC	W3	7th Overall, 3rd North
Team Notes
- The Northern State University men’s basketball returned the favor to the Dragons of MSUM with a 118-117 victory on the road on Saturday - The Wolves forced the game to double overtime while shooting 48.7 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from the arc - Northern trailed 39-34 at the half, however rallied for 57 points in the second to tie things at 91-all and force the first overtime period - The win tallies the Wolves first in overtime this season
Top Performer(s)
- Mack Arvidson led the team with 30 points in the game, bringing his season total to 67 versus the Dragons - DJ Pollard was third on the team with 20 points, and second on the team with seven rebounds. The junior also dished out a team leading seven assists and connected on each of the game tying and winning baskets in the final seconds of each period. - Logan Doyle led the team with eight rebounds, and notched 12 points
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30th vs. Concordia-St. Paul – 8 p.m. Saturday Dec. 31st vs. Minnesota State – 6 p.m.

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 84-50 vs. Mount Marty L 87-86 vs SMSU	6-8, 2-4 NSIC	L1	6th Overall, 3rd South
Team Notes
- USF has lost six games by four points or less, including five by two or fewer points with three of them coming in league play - In its eight losses USF has lost by combined 36 points or 4.5 ppg - USF is second in the league in scoring defense at 70.3 ppg, sixth in scoring margin at 7.4 ppg,  third in field goal percentage defense at .420 - USF, which has won the rebound battle in 10-of-14 games, ranks second in the NSIC in rebounding at 39.5 per game
Top Performer(s)
- In an 84-50 win over Mount Marty, Clint Thomas tied a career high with 22 points - Thomas ranks fourth in the NSIC in three-point shooting at 57 percent, sitting second in the league with 45 3’s on 79 attempts - With 34 points this week, Drew Guebert remained seventh in the NSIC at 17.6 ppg - Junior forward Tom Aase ranks fifth in the league in blocks with 1.1 per game or 15 overall - Senior guard Mack Johnson had a season high 27 points, including 12-of-13 from the foul line, in a 87-86 loss to SMSU - Johnson, USF’s all-time leader in made three’s with 207, is 10th in scoring all-time at USF with 1,393 points - The 27 points was his 20th career 20 point game of his career, fourth this year
Friday, Dec. 30 at Wayne State - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at Augustana - 6 p.m

 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 87-86 at USF	10-1, 5-1 NSIC	W4	8th Overall, 4th South
Team Notes
-SMSU’s 10-1 record is the best in team history after 11 games -SMSU has played just three home games and will play just three of its first 13 games of the season at home  -SMSU won for the first time at USF since the 2008-09 season, snapping a four-game losing streak at USF to the Cougars -SMSU has six players score in double figures in the win at USF. It was the first time six players scored 10 or more points in a game since Feb. 6, 2016 -SMSU trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half -SMSU senior forward Mitch Weg has scored 996 career points
Top Performer(s)
-Sophomore guard Taylor Schafer scored a team-high 14 points with two 3-pointers in SMSU’s win at USF -Ryan Bruggeman scored the game-winning field goal with 10.5 seconds left in regulation
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 at Augustana - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at Wayne State - 6 p.m.

 

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 63-58 vs UMD W 99-77 vs Jamestown	8-6, 4-1 North	W2	3rd Overall, t-1st North
Team Notes
- The Huskies won their first game of the week by a 63-58 score over Minnesota Duluth to improve to 4-1 in NSIC league play on Dec. 17 - Scottie Stone led the team with 30 points - Stone accounted for 48 percent of the team’s points against UMD plus put the team ahead for good with his three-pointer with three minutes left in the game - It was the highest point total by an SCSU player this season that he later matched by scoring 30 against Jamestown - Stone has now scored 30 or more points in five games in his career - The program defeated Jamestown by a 99-77 score on Monday, Dec. 19 - The 99 points are a season high for the program - Stone led the team with 30 points - Gage Davis had 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists against the Jimmies - The Huskies won the battle of the boards in both games and pulled down a season-high 47 rebounds against the Jimmies
Top Performer(s)
- Scottie Stone scored a team season high with 30 points against Minnesota Duluth - He is the first SCSU player to score 30 points since he scored 32 against UMary last season (1/22/16) - Stone scored 30 points against Jamestown - He was one of four in double figures against the Jimmies with Gage Davis putting up 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists plus Mark Hall and Jon Averkamp both scored 13 points
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30, vs. Minot State - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Mary - 6 p.m.

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 85-67 vs. WSU W 95-82 at WSU	8-4, 5-1 NSIC	W1	9th Overall, 6th NSIC South
Team Notes
- Upper Iowa split a pair of matchups with the Winona State Warriors, playing WSU twice in a 48-hour time span - The Peacocks were held to their lowest shooting percentage of the season on Saturday in the loss to the Warriors, converting just 39% from the field - UIU bounced back on Monday night with a 95-82 win over WSU, shooting 50% from the field, including 15-29 from behind the arc - It is the second time this season that Upper Iowa has hit 15 three-pointers in a game - The Peacocks are 5-1 to start NSIC play for the first time since joining the league in 2006 - Upper Iowa rallied with 55 second-half points on Monday night en route to the win - UIU forced 34 Winona State turnovers in two games
Top Performer(s)
- Junior Carson Parker averaged 20.0 points per game against WSU, including a career-high 33 points on Monday night - Parker connected on 14-23 shots from the field, including 8-14 from behind the arc - Monday night’s game saw Parker connect on 11-14 shooting, including 7-9 from distance - Senior Jimmy Roth averaged 16.5 points in two games, including a 20-point effort on Saturday - Luke Lenhart averaged 10.5 points, while Josh Weeber averaged 10 and Dennis Austin III picked up 9.5 per game - Redshirt senior Jordan Hay averaged 7.0 rebounds per game, leading the team in that category - Five players scored in double figures for the Peacocks on Monday night; UIU has now accomplished that feat in three of the last four games
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 vs. Bemidji State – 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Minnesota Crookston – 6 p.m.

 

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Week 1-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 93-60 vs AUGIE W 79-52 vs WJC	4-8, 2-4 NSIC	W1	15th Overall, 8th South
Team Notes
- WSC shot over 50 percent for a fifth game (28-55) in 79-52 Monday win over William Jewell
Top Performer(s)
- Junior forward Jordan Cornelius averaged team-high 14.5 points in two games, scoring 18 vs. Augustana and 11 vs. William Jewell - Junior reserve guard Austin Esters averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, scoring 14 vs. Augustana and 11 against William Jewell - Junior forward Kendall Jacks had 13 points vs. William Jewell and 10 vs. Augustana
Up Next
Friday, December 30 vs. Sioux Falls - 8 p.m. Saturday, December 31 vs. Southwest Minnesota State - 6 p.m.

 

Winona State University Warriors

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 85-67 at UIU L 95-82 vs UIU	5-5, 2-4 NSIC	L1	5th Overall, 4th South
Team Notes
- Warriors now have three 1,000-point scorers on the team, first time since 2007 - Winona State shot 68% from the field in the second half during Friday’s win - Made 12 three-point field goals, a season high vs Upper Iowa - Season best 14 free throws made at Upper Iowa - Tied a season high with 19 assists at Upper Iowa - On Monday Upper Iowa and Winona State combined for 27 three-point field goals, most since 2011 matchup vs Minot State
Top Performer(s)
- Tommy Gathje had a career high in points twice, scored 14 points Friday and 21 on Monday - Gathje had the Warriors first double-double of the year Monday with 21 points and 11 rebounds - Isaiah Gray and Kyle Bauman each reached 1,000 career points - Corey Jeffs had a career high 17 rebounds on Friday - Riley Bambenek combined for 41 points on the weekend - Gray had 14 points on Friday and 15 points Monday - Josh Mongan had a career high 16 points on Friday
Up Next
Friday, Dec. 30 vs. MInnesota Crookston - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 vs. Bemidji State - 6 p.m.