SIOUX FALLS -- The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team received 18 points from Mack Johnson but dropped a 65-54 decision to Northern State (15-3, 9-3 NSIC North) on Saturday night at the Stewart Center before 1,339 in attendance.

The Cougars, which fell to 7-11 overall and 4-8 in the NSIC South, were unable to sustain offense in the second half when the Wolves pulled away. The Cougars, which trailed at halftime, 32-31,  dropped their fourth straight decision, including the last two at home.

“We struggled in the last 10 minutes of the game,” said Chris Johnson, USF head men's basketball coach. “The team has to find a way to make some plays on the offensive end. We just forced too many things and have to find a way to improve upon that part of our game. We shot the ball well from distance but struggled inside the 3-point arch. I felt like we worked hard but had some problems close to the basket,” said Johnson.

USF was led in scoring by Johnson with 18 points as the sophomore guard hit 6-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range. J.R. Hollis added 10 points and seven rebounds, both totals tying season/career highs, while Freddie Young contributed 11 points. Senior Charles Ward, who scored four points, had his double digit point streak end at 17 straight games this season. The Cougars, which lead the league in blocks, had four more tonight with redshirt freshman Tom Aase swatting two away.

Overall, the Cougars hit just 18-of-44 field goals for 40.9 percent, including 8-of-15 from three-point range for 53.3 percent. USF, which was outrebounded, 35-23, hit 10-of-15 from the foul line for 66.7 percent.

NSU, which sits second in the NSIC North, was led by Seth Bachand with 20 points and nine rebounds. He hit 7-of-9 field goals and was 6-of-9 from the foul line. Tydan Storrusten added 10 points and eight rebounds for NSU, which hit 44.9 percent from the field on 22-of-49 shooting. They were 6-of-15 from three-point range for 40 percent while making 15-of-23 free throws for 65.2 percent.

A three-point play by Bachand helped NSU take a 10-5 lead at the 15:26 mark of the first half. The Cougars hung tough and pulled within two at 17-15 after a basket by Bryan Kielpinski with 10:53 to play in the half. Johnson's second three-pointer of the game drew the Cougars within 22-21 with 7:43 to play. It was part of a 7-0 run in which the Cougars took a 25-22 lead after Young connected from distance. Johnson hit another three late in the half as USF took a 31-30 lead. However, the Wolves had the last answer of the half when Michael Schreiber scored inside as NSU took a 32-31 lead.

The Wolves started fast in the second half as three straight layups from Bachand pushed the NSU lead to 38-31 with 17:09 to play. The Cougars battled back with a layup from Ward cutting the lead to 40-38 at the 12:00 mark. But, that was as close as USF would get on the night. Up 49-45 with 7:58 to play, the Wolves outscored the Cougars, 16-9, down the stretch to take an 11-point decision.

Next up for USF will be a trip to Concordia, St. Paul on Friday, Jan. 23 for an 8 p.m. game. They will face #21 Minnesota State-Mankato at 6 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 24.