For Immediate Release
Monday, January 13, 2025
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet

NSIC Player of the Week
#1 Jakob Braaten (G, 6-0, 200, Jr., Byron, Minn. / Byron HS) - SMSU
- Averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals in a pair of wins
- Shot 48 percent (15-of-31) from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line
- Scored 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting with eight rebounds and three steals in a 59-53 win over MSUM
- Had a game-high 22 points with a team-high seven rebounds in a 76-73 win over No. 4 Minot State
- Added three assists and two steals and was 5-of-5 from the free throw line against the Beavers

NSIC Shining 5*
Kyreese Willingham (MSU)
- Averaged 19.0 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals per game in MSU's two wins
- Shot 16-of-32 (.500) from the field, including a 4-of-9 (.444) showing from three point range
- Scored a game-high 24 points vs. Bemidji State, which included making his first six shots from the field
Shawn Warrior (USF)
- Averaged 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in two wins
- Shot an efficient 13-of-23 (57%) from the field
- Recorded a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds in a 85-61 win over No. 4 Minot State
- Added three steals, leading the Cougars to hand the Beavers their first loss of the season
- Contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 39 minutes in a 81-76 win over MSUM
Noah Puetz (USF)
- Averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across the two wins
- Shot 14-of-31 (45%) from the field, 4—of-12 (33%) from three, and a perfect 3-3 at the free-throw line
- Led all scorers with 24 points against No. 4 Minot State
- Added 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists in a win over MSUM
- Finished the weekend with a combined nine assists and only one turnover 
Isaiah Thompson (WSU)
- Averaged 11.5 points and 12 rebounds in the Warriors two wins this week
- Had 11 points and 12 rebounds against Minnesota Crookston
- Followed that up with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Bemidji State
- Shot 50% from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc this weekend
- Also had six assists and a team high three steals

*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
12/23/24
#50 Caleb Van De Griend - Minot State (2)
1/6/25
#0 Antwan Kimmons - Concordia-St. Paul (2)
1/23/25
#1 Jakob Braaten - Southwest Minnesota State

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.