Friday night marks the final games of January, which puts us in the home stretch as eight matchups remain in the 22-game NSIC schedule. No. 25 Winona State has risen to the top of the league standings with their 12-2 record, thanks to a huge win at home over Minnesota State last weekend. The Mavericks sit a game behind the Warriors at 11-3 and are tied in the overall standings with North Division leader Bemidji State.
We head to Friday night action with eight cross divisional matchups all starting at 8 p.m.
For NSIC Basketball Schedules/Results/Recaps and more go to:
www.NorthernSun.org/Scoreboard
We’ll start with Winona State traveling to 9-5 Northern State. Kellen Taylor posted double-doubles in two big wins for the Warriors last weekend, beginning with a 17-point, 10-rebound performance in a 73-57 win over then No. 14 Minnesota State.
Next 11-3 Bemidji State will take their seven game win streak on the road to Marshall, where they will take on a 10-4 Southwest Minnesota State squad. The Beavers’ winning streak is their longest since the 2005. The Mustangs, who are coming off two big road wins at Wayne and Augie last weekend, return home where they are 8-2 on the season.
The University of Mary will bring their 3-11 record to 11-3 Minnesota State. The Mavericks own a 6-1 all-time record against U-Mary, including a 3-0 record at Taylor Center.
Next 5-9 Wayne State will travel to 9-5 St. Cloud State. Husky senior forward Matt Craggs was named the NSIC player of the week as he notched a double-double last Friday against Northern State and followed that with a career-best 31 points against MSU Moorhead. Over the weekend Craggs recorded season highs for points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-point field goals.
Upper Iowa begins a four game road swing as they bring their 6-8 record up north to take on a 10-4 MSU Moorhead squad. The Peacocks will face a red hot Dragons squad that has won three straight, including their first win at St. Cloud State in nearly 30 years. Add to that, the Dragons are 9-0 at home this season.
Next, 9-5 Augustana will travel to 5-9 Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs own a slight edge in the all-time series, winning 12 and dropping 10, but Augustana has won the last two meetings.
Minnesota Crookston will head down I29 to battle with 6-8 Sioux Falls. UMC will look to snap a 12-game losing streak while USF looks to improve upon their 8-2 home record.
And our final matchup has 3-11 Minot State traveling to 2-12 Concordia-St. Paul. These two teams have only met once, with the Beavers defeating Concordia last year in Minot. This weekend also kicks off the second annual
“It’s a Slam Dunk, Don’t Drive Drunk” campaign. CU won the video contest and will receive a $500 check at halftime that they will donate to “Make-a-Wish”.
That will wrap up Friday night’s games. Make sure to check out
www.NorthernSun.org for tonight’s results, along with stats, standing, recaps and more…or Follow us on
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Also - a reminder to fans - The
2013-14 NSIC/Sanford Health Men’s Basketball Tournament will feature all 16 teams, with first round games played on campus on Feb. 26. The quarterfinals, semifinals and championship games will take place on March 1-4 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.