Box Score Wayne State 84 Northern State 81

            After building a 14 point lead with just over five minutes remaining, Wayne State staved off a late Northern State rally to knock off the NSIC leading Wolves 84-81 Saturday evening in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played in Aberdeen, South Dakota at Wachs Arena.  With the win, WSC takes over sole possession of first place in the NSIC South Division at 14-4 overall and 9-3 in the league while NSU remains first place overall and in the NSIC North Division at 14-4 and 10-2 in NSIC games.
            The first half was a two-possession game the entire 20 minutes with eight ties and seven lead changes.  Northern State's biggest lead was five at 13-8 at the 15:32 mark. 
            Following the eighth tie of the half at 28-28, WSC used a 10-4 run to take their biggest lead of the half at 38-32 following a Kendall Jacks jumper with 2:37 left in the half before WSC finished the half with a 42-38 lead.
            WSC used 64 percent shooting in the first half (18-28) to take the halftime lead.
            The Wildcats used a 14-0 run early in the second half to take a double-digit advantage.
            Tied at 46-46 three minutes into the second half, WSC used back-to-back treys from Trevin Joseph, a 3-pointer from Vance Janssen and a three-point play by Jordan Janssen in a span of 3:06 to take a 60-46 lead. 
            Wayne State still held a 73-59 lead at the 5:21 mark when Northern State started their comeback.
            The Wolves trimmed the lead to 73-68 at the 3:19 mark, but WSC answered the run and was in front 79-70 with 1:06 remaining when Northern State made one last surge.
            WSC led 82-75 with 16 seconds to play, but Northern State got 3-pointers from Ian Smith and Mason Stark to cut the lead to one at 82-81 with 3.4 seconds left.
            Senior Vance Janssen was fouled and made two free throws with 2.8 to play for an 84-81 lead.  Northern State's Ian Smith raced into front court and was long on an approximate 30-footer from the right side and the Wildcats escaped with the win over the NSIC leading Wolves.
            Trevin Joseph led Wayne State in scoring with 31 points, making 12 of 19 shots from the field.  It was his second 30-point outburst in the last six games and the fifth time in the last nine outings recording over 20 points.
            Kendall Jacks added 15 points, extending his streak of scoring double figures in every game this season.  Jordan Janssen added 14 points with Vance Janssen scoring 13.
            Wayne State shot a sizzling 56.9 percent for the contest, making 33 of 58 shots.  The 'Cats were 6 for 16 behind the arc and just 12 of 20 (60 percent) at the charity stripe.
            Ian Smith scorched the nets for 39 points to lead Northern State, going 14 for 23 from the field and perfect 9 of 9 at the foul stripe.  Mason Stark added 13 with Justin Decker scoring 12.
            The Wolves were 29 of 62 from the field for 46.8 percent and 6 of 23 from the 3-point line.  NSU was 17 for 20 at the free throw line.
            Northern State held a 36-28 advantage in rebounding despite nine caroms from Jordan Janssen.  He also led WSC in steals with two while Ben Dentlinger accounted for four blocked shots.
            Wayne State will be at home next weekend, entertaining Minnesota State Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Concordia-St. Paul Sunday in a 3:30 p.m. contest.