Box Score MOORHEAD, Minn. – Coach
Chad Walthall could not contain his excitement as he leapt to his feet urging the crowd to rise and cheer with him as the Dragons defeated the Northern State University Wolves 66-60 Friday night at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse. The Dragons' win moves them up to 10-5 in the NSIC, 14-5 overall, while the Wolves drop to 8-8 in the NSIC, 12-8 overall.
“Great crowd,” commented Coach Walthall about the energy in the full fieldhouse. “I just wanted to make sure they knew we appreciated them. They really helped us down the stretch.”
Eric Olson was given the start this game, and sunk a layup falling to the floor to stop a 13-4 NSU run to start the game. The first half saw the Dragons struggle to stay with the Wolves, hindered by only making 1-for-10 shots from three, as NSU shot 5-for-9 from three for 56%. NSU focused their defense on the Dragons' shooting guards, playing tight man-to-man coverage five feet behind the three point line.
Senior guard
Charlie Chapman had the hot hand during the first half, scoring eight points off two field goals and shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Center
Alex Novak scored 13 of his 16 points during the second half on his way to a double-double, hauling in 10 rebounds. He had multiple opportunities to showcase his dunking abilities, especially in the final seconds of regulation where D. J. Hamilton found Novak alone for a turn-around one-handed dunk.
Hamilton also found his mark, scoring all 16 of his points during the second half. He elevated over two NSU players for a tip-in layup to spark his own seven-point scoring run.
“He's been in a slump and he's his own worst critic,” said Coach Walthall about Hamilton. “Sometimes plays like that can get you out of that slump.”
Hamilton hit a step-back three to move the Dragons ahead 59-56, and following up a key
Jake Lindfors block, sank two free throws out of a Wolves time out to give MSUM a three-point lead with thirty seconds remaining.
“I was happy for our guys, because we obviously run into a bumpy road and were down by 12 at the half,” said Coach Walthall about his excitement following tonight's win. “I saw tonight guys that appreciated and respected the right to compete, so I was happy for them.”
MSUM finished the game 24-for-52, 46.2%, from the field, 3-for-15, 20%, from three, and 15-for-20, 75%, from the free throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Hamilton and Chapman with 16, followed by Novak with 15.
NSU shot 24-for-52, 46.2%, from the field, 5-for-17, 29.4%, from three, and 7-for-8, 87.5%, from the free throw line. The Wolves were led in scoring by Trent Zomer (17), Geoffrey Firmin (11), and Dustin Tetzlaff (10).
The Dragons host the University of Mary Marauders tomorrow night at Alex Nemzek fieldhouse at 6:00 pm.
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: The Dragon men avoided losing their fifth consecutive game since February 15 through March 1, 2008, and dodged losing their fifth NSIC regular season game in a row since January 23 through February 18, 2005. In that 2007/2008 campaign, the Dragons also had a seven game winning streak, their longest before the eleven in a row earlier this season.
Dragons Preview Fargo Forum Story WDAY Highlights
