Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State's Kevin Ratzch nailed a jumper with 39 seconds remaining to give the host Wolves a decisive lead and hand Southwest Minnesota State a 50-45 conference loss Friday night in Aberdeen, S.D.

The Wolves move to 8-1 (2-1 NSIC) on the season, while the Mustangs drop to 6-3 (0-2 NSIC).  SMSU shot a season-low 31.4 percent from the field including just 4 of 15 from three-point range.  The 45 points SMSU scored was also a season-low.

Ryan Krome led SMSU with 10 points and was the lone Mustang to crack double digits.  Andrew Peschong grabbed 10 rebounds on the night.

After a series of lead changes to open the first half, the Mustangs took a one point lead at 20-19 after a monster dunk by Nick Dale with just under two minutes remaining in the half.  Ryan Krome tacked on a three-pointer and SMSU put together a solid defensive stop in the closing moments of the first half to head to the locker room with a four-point lead.

The Mustangs grabbed a seven-point lead with 7:54 left on a three-pointer by Krome and looked as though they might have enough momentum to finish the contest.

But the Wolves would not go down without fight.  With 5:17 remaining, NSU's Kevin Ratzch completed a three-point play to tie the game at 42-42; it was the first time SMSU did not have the lead in the second half.

The Wolves took the lead at 45-44 off a pair of Kyle Schwan free throws with 2:52 remaining.  The Mustangs managed to tie the game at 45 all, but Ratzch went to work, sinking the big layup to go up by two.

SMSU did have the chance to tie, but two Dale free throws rimmed out and NSU sank three free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

The contest was a uncharacteristic low-scoring affair for both clubs; SMSU entered the game averaging just over 80 points a game, while NSU was putting up just under 80. 

The Mustangs finish the weekend tomorrow night when they play Mary at 8 p.m. in Bismarck, N.D.