2018-19 NSIC Men's Basketball Weekly Release No. 9

1/14/2019 8:29:51 AM

For Immediate Release
Monday, January 14, 2019
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet (PDF)

NSIC Men's Basketball Players of the Week
NSIC North Division Player of the Week
#20 Gage Davis (G, 6-4, 185, Sr., Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook HS) - St. Cloud State
- Averaged a team-leading 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in pair of wins
- Shot 54.8 percent from the floor  hitting 23-of-42 shots.
- Scored 20+ points vs. NSIC opponents for the eighth time this season
- Became SCSU’s all-time leading scorer with his 32-point performance in a 77-70 win over Minot State
- Is the NSIC’s all-time leading scorer with 1597 points in 73 NSIC contests
- Scored 23 points in the Huskies 60-58 victory over UMary
- Scored eight consecutive points in the second half, including the game winning basket with 1:26 left
- Named NSIC Player of the Week for the second time this season (11/26/18)

NSIC South Division Player of the Week
#4 Trevon Evans (G, 6-0, 175, Sr., Wichita, Kan. / Eisenhower HS) - Sioux Falls
- Averaged 28.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in two road wins
- Hit 18-of-47 shots, 8-of-20 from three point range and was 12-of-14 from the line
- Had 27 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 75-46 win at Minnesota State
- Helped USF defeat MSU for the first time in seven game at the Taylor Center
- Added 29 points, three rebounds and three assists with two steals in a 95-64 win at CSP.
- Hit 11-of 24 shots with 6-of-12 from three point range, which tied a season-high
- Has scored at least 27 points in four of the last five games
- Named NSIC Player of the Week for the second week in a row
 
Augustana University Vikings
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W 94-85 vs. UIU
L 87-67 vs. WSU		 11-5, 7-3 NSIC South L1 7th Overall, 5th South
Team Notes
- Trailing by four at halftime, Augustana outscored Upper Iowa 49-36 in the second half for a 94-85 comeback win
- The 94 points scored is a season-high for Augustana
- Augustana finished 22-25 from the free throw line, and the Peacocks were just 1-2
- The Vikings controlled the glass with a 41-33 advantage, and moved to 11-1 when out-rebounding their opponent
- Augustana shot 48.4 percent in the win over UIU
- On Saturday, Augustana scored 40 points in the second-half, but it wasn’t enough for a comeback win
- Augustana did swipe five steals and forced 10 turnovers, which led to a game-high 18 points off turnovers
- The Vikings shot 45 percent in the second half, and 85 percent (13-of-15) from the free throw line
Top Performer(s)
- On Friday, the Vikings A.J. Plitzuweit scored a career-high 26 points. He also finished with a game-high 7 assists. The freshman also shot 8-9 from the free throw line
- Matt Cartwright dropped 18 points and 3 rebounds, Trevor Hanson had 16 points and 6 boards, and Michael Schaefer finished with 12 points and five rebounds vs Upper Iowa
- Dylan LeBrun just barely missed double-figures but finished with 9 points and a game-high 11 rebounds
- On Saturday, Cartwright finished with a game-high 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists
- The sophomore finished 3-of-6 from downtown
- Plitzuweit came back on Saturday and scored 16 points and 5 rebounds
- Trevor Hanson (11 points) and Jameson Bryan (13 points) also hit double-figures for Augustana
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Northern State - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. MSU Moorhead  - 5:30 p.m.
 
Bemidji State University Beavers
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
L 80-78 at MSUM
L 73-53 at NSU		 4-10, 1-9 North L9 14th Overall, 7th North
Team Notes
- Bemidji State was swept on the road as MSU Moorhead and Northern State took season sweeps
- The Beavers rallied back from an 11-point deficit at halftime but fell by two points for the second time this season against the Dragons
- BSU came back from a seven-point deficit at halftime to trail by two before NSU went on a 17-0 run to secure the win
- Bemidji State shot 44.0 percent (51-116) from the field, 38.5 percent (15-39) from 3-point range and 60.9 percent (14-23) from the free throw line over the weekend
Top Performer(s)
- Freshman guard Max Bjorklund set his third career-high scoring mark in a four game span with 20 points against the Dragons, finishing with 12.5 points per game over the weekend
- Sophomore forward Derek Thompson led BSU with 16.5 points per game, including 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field against Northern State
- Junior guard Ja Morgan led BSU with 6.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs Upper Iowa – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs Winona State – 5:30 p.m.  
Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W 76-70 vs SMSU
L 64-95 vs USF		 7-9, 2-8 NSIC L1 15th Overall, 8th South
Team Notes
- Concordia stifled SMSU for much of the night before surviving a late run to pick up a 76-70 win on Friday before seeing USF pull away for a 95-64 win on Saturday
- The Golden Bears got to the free throw line early and often on the weekend as they knocked down 85.0% (34-40) from the free throw line while their opponent hit just 50.0% (10-20)
- Both opponents knocked down double-digit threes as they combined to go 27-62 (43.5%) while CSP finished at 16-43 (37.2%) from deep
Top Performer(s)
- Sophomore Cody Carlson put up one of his best weekends as a Golden Bear as he led the way with 18.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while hitting 56.5% (13-23) from the floor and 57.1% (4-7) from three
- Freshman Noah Kannegiesser also put together a breakthrough weekend as he led the team with 15 points on Saturday to finish the weekend with 10.5 points on 50.0% (7-14) shooting and 75.0% (3-4) from three-point range
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs St. Cloud State – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs Minnesota Duluth – 5:30 p.m.
University of Mary Marauders
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W 100-98 at UMD 3OT
L 60-58 at SCSU		 7-9 | 4-6 NSIC L1 16th Overall, 8th North
Team Notes
- Triple overtime victory at Minnesota Duluth is the longest Marauders game of NCAA era
- Wyatt Carr hit a three pointer with less than five seconds left in the second overtime to tie the game and Jaylan White hit a layup with less than two seconds left in the third overtime to win the game
- Marauders came up just short of a weekend road sweep with a 60-58 loss at SCSU the following day
- With seven wins overall and four wins in NSIC play, the Marauders have exceeded last season’s win total and equaled their NSIC win total
- Third in the NSIC in points allowed per game (68.6) and 6th in field goal percentage defense (.435)
- In midst of playing 7-of-9 games on the road
Top Performer(s)
- Jaylan White scored the winning basket with less than two seconds remaining in the Marauders amazing 100-98 triple overtime win at Minnesota Duluth
- White scored 25 points in the game – 12 in overtime – and was a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line
- For the season he is averaging 14.4 ppg (17th in NSIC).
- Connor Hellebust had three treys, five steals and 21 points at UMD
- Wyatt Carr had four treys and scored 12 points at UMD
- Tom Kubank hit four treys and scored 18 points in the UMD win
- Matthew Kreklow just missed a double double with 19 points and nine rebounds at SCSU, making 8-of-13 shots. He is fourth in the NSIC in blocked shots (1.9/game) and 12th in free throw percentage (.796).
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 at Sioux Falls - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 at Southwest Minnesota State - 6 p.m.
 
University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
L 72-70 at NSU
L 101-88 at MSUM		 10-8, 4-6 NSIC L2 11th, 4th North
Team Notes
- The Golden Eagles were two points shy of defeating Northern State in Wachs Arena for the first time in school history
- Minnesota Crookston had three in double figures, led by Harrison Cleary, who finished with 25
- Harrison Cleary jumped up three spots on the all-time scoring list for the NSIC, scoring 52 points in the losses to NSU and MSUM for career points with 1,289 points
- Cleary needs two points to surpass Brett Ervin of UMD to move to ninth all-time
- He has scored 1,755 career points and needs 163 points to move past Joe Hasz for the school record for points
Top Performer(s)
- Harrison Cleary averaged 26 PPG in the losses to the Wolves and Dragons
- Ben Juhl averaged 14 PPG and 2 RPG over the weekend
- Josh Collins scored double-figures in both weekend games, including 19 against MSUM
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Winona State - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. Upper Iowa - 5:30 p.m.
 
  University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
L 98-100 3OT Mary
W 77-70 MISU		 8-6, 5-5 North W1 10th Overall, 5th North
Team Notes
- The Bulldogs played in their first triple overtime game since Feb. 9, 1990, a 79-77 win at Winona State
- UMD swept Minot State for the second time in four seasons
- The Bulldogs compiled a season high 13 three-pointers and a season high 49 rebounds
- The Marauders forced 23 turnovers the most allowed by the Bulldogs in 183 games
Top Performer(s)
- Brandon Myer averaged 28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds. 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals
- Myer became the 38th Bulldog to enter the 1,000-point club
- Sean Burns posted a career high 26 points and 15 rebounds Friday night
- Trevor Entwisle tallied a career high 13 assists, it was the most assists by a Bulldog since 2005-06
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 at Minnesota State – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 at Concordia-St. Paul – 5:30 p.m.
Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
L 74-46 vs. USF
W 101-72 vs. SMSU		 12-4 (8-2 NSIC) W1 T-1st Overall, T-1st NSIC South
Team Notes
- Minnesota State averaged 73.5 points and 43.5 rebounds per game last weekend
- MSU has now scored 100 points in two games this season
- Junior Cameron Kirksey recorded a double-double vs. SMSU with 23 points and 10 rebounds
- As a team, MSU passed out 25 assists and forced 19 turnovers
- The Mavericks have won nine of their last 11 games
Top Performer(s)
- Cameron Kirksey, 15.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 41.7 FG%, 83.3 FT%
- Juwan McCloud, 11.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg.
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Minnesota Duluth – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. St. Cloud State – 5:30 p.m.
 
Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W 80-78 vs BSU
W 101-88 vs UMC		 13-5, 7-3 NSIC W6 8th Overall, 3rd North
Team Notes
- MSUM now has a season-high six-game winning streak after beating BSU and UMC
- Dragons now tied for second in NSIC North at 7-3
- Four Dragons average in double figures on the season: Freshman G Gavin Baumgartner (16.1), senior F Addison Park (14.8), senior G Travaun Coad (13.4) and junior G Johnny Beeninga (11.6)
- Dragons continue four-game homestand this week vs. Wayne State and Augustana
Top Performer(s)
- Senior F Addison Park averaged 19.5 points and 3.0 rebounds
- Junior G Johnny Beeninga averaged 15.5 points per game for the week while shooting 72.2 percent from the field, including a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point line
- Freshman G Gavin Baumgartner averaged 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game
- Senior Travaun Coad averaged 11.5 points per game
- Freshman G Bryce Irsfeld averaged 15.0 points and tied a season-high with 23 points in win over UMC
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Wayne State - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. Augustana - 5:30 p.m.
 
Minot State University Beavers
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
L 89-54 at SCSU
L 77-70 at UMD		 7-12, 2-8 North L2 13th Overall, 6th North
Team Notes
- Minot State dropped road games at St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth
- Minot State shot 50.9 percent against UMD and 44.0 percent against St. Cloud State
Top Performer(s)
- David Akibo scored 19 points in both road games over the weekend, against Duluth he had nine rebounds and five assists and against St. Cloud he had seven rebounds
- Max Cody put up five points and five assists against St. Cloud and 16 points and eight assists against Duluth
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 at Southwest Minnesota State – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Jan. 19 at Sioux Falls – 4 p.m.
 
Northern State University Wolves
Last Week – 2-0 Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W 72-70 vs. UMC
W 73-53 vs. BSU		 13-3, 9-1 North W4 5th Overall, 2nd North
Team Notes
- The Northern State men’s basketball team recorded a North Division sweep from Wachs Arena this past weekend with wins over Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State
- The Wolves shot 45.3 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from the 3-point line, and 71.2 percent from the foul line in the two games
- They out-scored their opponents by 22 points and out-rebounded their foes by 13 boards
- Two Wolves finished the weekend averaging double figure points, while six shot 40.0 percent or better from the field
- NSU is currently first in the NSIC North and the league overall standings with just one conference loss
Top Performer(s)
- Ian Smith led the team averaging 16.5 points per game, with a season high 23 versus Bemidji State
- Bo Fries was second on the team notching 11.0 points per game, and shooting a team high 70.0 percent from the floor
- Parker Fox nearly averaged a double-double off the bench with 9.5 points and a team high 9.0 rebounds per game
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Augustana – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. Wayne State – 6 p.m.
University of Sioux Falls Cougars
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W 75-46 at MSU
W 95-64 at CSP		 12-4, 7-3 South W4 3rd Overall, T-1st South
Team Notes
- The win over Minnesota State was USF’s first in seven games at the Taylor Center
- The Cougars defeated CSP for the sixth straight time
- USF also reached 90 points or more in a game for the fourth time as they moved into a third place in the NSIC South, one game out of first place
- USF ranks first in the NSIC rebounding at 43.9 per game and offensive boards at 13.8 per game
- USF is fourth in scoring at 80.2 ppg and fourth in scoring defense at 69.5 ppg
Top Performer(s)
- Drew Guebert averaged 16.0 points (18. 14) and 4.5 rebounds (7, 2) while shooting .571 (12-of-21) from the field and .778 (7-of-9) from three point range
- He has made 14-of-23 threes for 60.9 percent over the last four games
- He has moved past 1,700 career points and into fourth all-time at USF with 1,722 points
- Guebert, who ranks sixth in the NSIC in scoring, is also USF’s career three-point leader with 242
- He now has 82 games in double-digit points. Guebert ranks 16th in career points in NSIC play with 1,194 and is just 14 points from 15th
- Trevon Evans averaged 28.0 points (56 points), 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals
- He hit 18-of-47 shots (39 percent) and 8-of-20 for 40 percent from three point distance plus 12-of-14 foul shots for 85.7 percent
- Evans, who has 16 straight double digit scoring games and 20 dating to a year ago, has 11 20-point games this season after his 27 points against MSU and 29 vs CSP
- He scored 56 points in 66 minutes played this weekend while dishing seven assists with just one turnover
- This season, he has scored at least 15 points in all 16 games
- Evans, who has 42 double-digit scoring games, now has 986 career points in 45 games played (21.9 ppg)
- Evans has scored at least 27 points in four of the last five games
- Redshirt freshman Chase Grinde had 12 points and four rebounds in win over CSP
- Grinde made 5-of-6 field goals, including his only three as he reached double digits for the fourth time
- Milan Surlic averaged 9.0 points (8, 10) and 6.5 rebounds (6, 7) in the two USF wins
- He had his fourth game in double digits with 10 against CSP 
Up Next
Friday, January 18 vs. UMary - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 vs. Minot State - 6 p.m.
 
Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
L 76-70 at CSP
L 101-72 at MSU		 8-8, 3-7 NSIC L4  6th Overall, 4th South
Team Notes
- SMSU has lost four straight games for the first time since the 2015-16 season
- SMSU trailed by 16 points with 4:30 left at CSP on Friday, but rallied to cut the deficit to three points with 36 seconds remaining
- SMSU has been outrebounded in its last five games
- SMSU has played three of the last four games without leading rebounder Steven McNease, who is out with an injury; he played just eight minutes on Friday night at CSP
Top Performer(s)
- Senior guard Ryan Bruggeman scored 31 points in the loss at MSU on Saturday
- It’s his sixth 30-point game of the season and eighth of his career
- Redshirt freshman guard Grant Kramer scored a career-high eight points and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds in the loss to MSU on Saturday
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Minot State - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 vs. UMary - 6 p.m.
 
St. Cloud State University Huskies
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W, 89-54 vs. MISU
W, 60-58 vs. MARY		 12-4, 7-3 North W3 T-1 Overall, 1st North
Team Notes
- St. Cloud State earned its first NSIC weekend sweep of the new year behind a dominant defense that held Minot State and Mary to an average of 56 points per game
- Gage Davis became the Huskies all-time leading scorer thanks to his 32-point performance against Minot State
- With his 13th basket of the game, Davis surpassed former St. Cloud State standout Dan Hagen with 2137 points in his career
- He also became the NSIC’s all-time leading scorer the previous weekend
- The Huskies made a season-high 14 threes in their most convincing NSIC win of the season against Minot State
- Seniors Brindley Theisen and Davis accounted for nine of the team’s 14 threes, as the Huskies shot 51.7 percent from beyond the arc in their 89-54 victory over the Beavers
- St. Cloud State put its defense on display in its 60-58 win over UMary, using a last-minute defensive stand to clinch the victory
- The Huskies tallied six blocks and six steals as a team while only allowing one Marauder to score in double-digits in 40 minutes of play
Top Performer(s)
- Gage Davis averaged 20+ points per game against NSIC opponents for the sixth consecutive week
- Davis averaged 27.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting .548 from the floor (23-42)
- Davis became St. Cloud State’s all-time leading scorer with his 32-point performance against Minot State
- Davis led the NSIC in points scored (32) Friday evening and was No. 2 in the conference in field goal percentage (.590
- Davis hit the game winning basket in the Huskies 60-58 win over Mary
- Davis scored 20+ points in NSIC play for the seventh and eighth time this season
- Brindley Theisen averaged 15.5 points per game while shooting .563 from beyond three-point range
- Theisen scored 15 points in the Huskies win over Minot State on 5-7 shooting from beyond the arc (led the NSIC) before scoring 16 in the win over Mary
Up Next
Friday, January 18 at Concordia-St. Paul – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 at Minnesota State – 5:30 p.m.  
Upper Iowa University Peacocks
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason 
L 94-85 at Augustana
L 85-81 at Wayne State 		 6-10, 3-7 NSIC, 3-5 South L4 9th Overall, 6th South
Team Notes
- The Peacocks lost a pair of close decisions on the road this weekend with a 9-point loss at Augie, 94-85, and a 4-point loss at Wayne State, 85-81
- Upper Iowa’s offense stayed hot this past week as the Peacocks averaged 83 points a game and team shooting percentages of 48.5% from the floor and 43.9% from three
- The Peacocks knocked down 29 three-pointers, but only attempted 16 free throws in two games, while opponents took advantage of their opportunities at the charity stripe hitting 36 of 39 free throws
Top Performer(s)
- Mu Okonkwo continued his outstanding play in the post averaging 21.5 points per game for the second straight week; the senior center pulled down 6.5 rebounds per game and blocked a pair of shots as well
- Jareese Williams averaged 17 points a game and hit 10 of his 18 three-pointers including 6 of 10 shooting at Augustana on Friday night; Williams also grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game
- Chris Olson (11 points, 3.5 assists) and Jackson Joens (10 points) both reached a double-figure average for the weekend as well, while Joe Smoldt scored 8.5 points and handed out 5 assists per game and Kyle Haber scored 8.5 and dished up 4.5 assists per game
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 at Bemidji State – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 at Minnesota Crookston – 5:30 p.m.
 
Wayne State College Wildcats
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
W 92-79 vs. WSU
W 85-81 vs. UIU		 13-3, 8-2 South W3 12th Overall, 7th South
Team Notes
- WSC swept NSIC home games vs. Winona State 92-79 and Upper Iowa 85-81
- WSC is 10 games over .500 for first time since 1999-2000 season
- WSC tied season-high with 11 3-pointers in both games
- Wildcats made 33 of 34 free throws (.971) in two weekend wins
Top Performer(s)
- Senior guard Trevin Joseph scored 28 points in 85-81 win over UIU
- Joseph has scored over 20 points in four of his last seven games
- Senior guard Vance Janssen scored 21 points in win over Winona State and averaged 18.5 points and 4.0 assists per game
- Senior forward Kendall Jacks averaged 17.5 points per game and now ranks ninth in career scoring at WSC with 1,377 points
- Freshman Jordan Janssen averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, shooting 10-13 (.769) from the field and a perfect 9-9 at the free throw line
- Freshman guard Nick Ferrarini scored season-high 18 points vs. Winona State
Up Next
Friday, January 18 at MSU Moorhead – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 at Northern State - 6 p.m.
 
Winona State University Warriors
Last Week Season Record Streak Preseason Poll
L 92-79 at WSC
W 87-67 at Augie		 6-10, 3-5 South W1 4th Overall, 3rd South
Team Notes
- Surrendered a season-high 92 points in a setback to Wayne State
- Snapped a season-long five-game losing streak with a decisive 20-point win at Augustana
- Matched a season high with 16 three-pointers and shot over 50 percent from the field for the first time in over a month at Augie
Top Performer(s)
- Sophomore Kevion Taylor scored 23 at Wayne State on a season-best effort from downtown (5-8)
- Senior Tommy Gathje scored a season-best 21 points at Augie on 5-7 shooting from downtown
- Sophomore Devin Whitelow dished seven assists at Augie; averaged six assists on the weekend
Up Next
Friday, Jan. 18 at Minnesota Crookston – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 at Bemidji State – 5:30 p.m.
NSIC Men's Basketball Players of the Week
11/13/18
North:  #40 Sean Smith - St. Cloud State
South:  #15 Isaiah McKay - Concordia-St. Paul
11/19/18
North:  #10 Brandon Myer - Minnesota Duluth
South:  #23 Bryndan Matthews - Concordia-St. Paul
11/26/18
North:  #20 Gage Davis - St. Cloud State
South:  #3 Chris Olson - Upper Iowa
12/3/18
North:  #10 Brandon Myer - Minnesota Duluth (2)
South:  #3 Milan Surlic - Sioux Falls
12/10/18
North:  #0 Harrison Cleary - Minnesota Crookston
South:  #3 Ryan Bruggeman - Southwest Minnesota State
12/17/18
North:  #40 Sean Smith - St. Cloud State (2)
South:  #25 Tyler Riemersma - Augustana
1/3/19
North:  #15 David Akibo - Minot State
South:  #3 Ryan Bruggeman - Southwest Minnesota State (2)
1/7/19
North:  #0 Harrison Cleary - Minnesota Crookston (2)
South: #4 Trevon Evans - Sioux Falls
1/14/19
North:  #20 Gage Davis - St. Cloud State (2)
South: #4 Trevon Evans - Sioux Falls (2)
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