For Immediate Release
Monday, December 16, 2024
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet

NSIC Player of the Week
#5 Ben Kopetzki (G, 6-0, 185, So., Andover, Minn. / Andover HS) – Concordia-St. Paul 
- Averaged 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in a 2-0 week for CSP
- Shot 89% (8-of-9) from beyond the arc to lead the NSIC last week
- Knocked down 71% (15-of-21) of his shots from the field
- Had a career-high 26 points with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a win over AUGIE
- Led the team with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal in a win over WSC
- Ranks third in the NSIC with a 1.72 assist-to-turnover ratio this season

NSIC Shining 5*
Kyreese Willingham (MSU)
- Averaged a double-double with 21.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game
- Added 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals a game
- Shot 48.4% from the field (15-of-31)
- Recorded 16 points, nine rebounds and five steals vs. Southwest Minnesota State
- Posted a double-double of 27 points and 12 rebounds vs. Sioux Falls
- Also shot 11-of-13 (.846) from the free throw 
Jacob Beeninga (MSUM)
- Averaged an NSIC-best 26.5 points per game for the Dragons
- Averaged 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals a contest
- Scored a season-high 33 points in a 75-73 win at St. Cloud State on Friday
- Hit 44.4 percent of his shot attempts against the Huskies
- Chipped in 20 points against Bemidji State on Saturday, sinking four three-pointers
- Made 88.8 percent of his foul shots in the two wins (16-18)
Caleb Van De Griend (MINOT)
- Turned in back-to-back double-doubles
- Averaged 17.0 points and 14.0 rebounds in Minot State's two wins
- Shot 75 percent from the field hitting 15-of-20 shots which included going 2-for-2 from 3-point range
- Added three blocks and a pair of steals and assists over the two wins
Aeron Stevens (SMSU)
- Helped lead SMSU to a pair of road victories last weekend over Minnesota State and Winona State
- Averaged 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocked shot
- Shot 60 percent (12-of-20) from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range
- Scored 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting with eight rebounds in SMSU's 82-73 win at MSU 
- Followed that with 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting 
- Had a season-high three 3-pointers and five rebounds in SMSU's 75-62 victory at WSU

*Each week the NSIC will select a player of the week and highlight four other performances to make up the "NSIC Shining 5"
2024-25 NSIC Players of the Week
11/13/24
#23 Marcus Skeete - Concordia-St. Paul
11/18/24
#0 Antwan Kimmons - Concordia-St. Paul
11/25/24
#32 Wyatt Hawks – St. Cloud State
12/2/24
#50 Caleb Van De Griend - Minot State
12/9/24
#23 Marcus Skeete - Concordia-St. Paul (2) 
12/16/24
#5 Ben Kopetzki – Concordia-St. Paul

About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 15-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 27 team national championships and crowned 116 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.

About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.