ABERDEEN, S.D. – Trevon Evans recorded a D2-school record 42 points but the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (13-8, 8-7 NSIC) dropped a 97-75 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference decision to hot-shooting #12 Northern State (21-2, 14-1 NSIC) on Friday before 5,523 in attendance at Bob Wachs Arena.

With the victory, NSU improved to 21-2 overall and 14-1 in the NSIC to retain the top spot in the league's overall standings. USF fell to 13-8 overall and 8-7 in the NSIC, dropping into a fourth place tie with Augustana in the NSIC South.

With a late 15-0 run in the first half, NSU built a 46-33 advantage over the Cougars. The Wolves also had the edge in the second half, 51-42, to take the 22-point decision and defeat the Cougars for the eighth straight time. USF led just once on Guebert's three to open the game.

In attaining his career-high, Evans registered the second-best mark in league play, which was set by Harrison Cleary of Minnesota Crookston, who scored 46 in an 80-78 loss to Minnesota State on Friday night. Both Evans and Cleary passed the previous NSIC high of 40 by Tyler Rudolph against Mayville State on Nov. 14, 2017. Evans became USF's first player in the D2 era over 40 points with his 42 point total the best since Nathan Unruh had 43 in a107-102 double overtime win over Westmar on Jan. 9, 1996. 

In recording 40 points for the first time in his career, Evans, a junior from Wichita, Kan., hit a career-best 15-of-24 field goals, including a career-best seven three-pointers in 10 attempts. He also hit 5-of-9 free throws while recording two steals in 36 minutes of action. Evans had his fourth 30-point or better performance and now has a team-high 11, 20-point or better performances.

While Evans was lighting it up inside and outside for USF, the Cougars struggled overall shooting as a team. USF was 26-of-59 for 44.1 percent. Led by Evans, USF hit 9-of-17 from three-point range for 52.9 percent but were hurt by a 14-of-23 (60.9 percent) performance at the foul line. Sophomore forward Devin Green tied a season-high with eight points and grabbed a team-high five rebounds for USF, which lost the rebounding battle, 34-21. Drew Guebert, who hit his 180th career three in the game, added eight points with three rebounds and an assist.

NSU was hot from start to finish and the Wolves' shooting was the key to their win. NSU, which placed six players in double digits, hit 33-of-49 shots from the field for 67.3 percent, including 11-of-18 from three point range for 61.1 percent.

As the Cougars struggled at the foul line, NSU hit 20-of-23 for 87 percent. Logan Doyle had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolves while Ian Smith added 15 points and seven assists.

While USF had just six assists, NSU shared the basket well with 23 assists on their 33 baskets. They also had a significant edge on points in the paint, 42-16, and points off turnovers, 19-9.

Game Breakdown
NSU, keyed by a late 15-0 run, had a hot-shooting opening half for a 46-33 lead at halftime. USF stayed within 12 points due to Evans strong first half when he scored 23 points. Evans hit 8-of-11 shots, including 4-of-5 from three point range. Guebert added eight points for USF which hit 11-of-27 field goals for 40.7 percent. However the Cougars, paced by Evans, was 6-of-8 from three point range.

As for NSU, they made 18-of-26 shots for 69.2 percent, including 7-of-9 from distance for 77.8 percent. NSU, which led by as many as 16 (42-26, (3:02), held a 16-11 edge on the boards and 6-3 advantage at the foul line.

After Guebert's three-pointer opened the scoring, the Wolves responded with 10 straight points for a seven-point advantage (10-3) at the 16:30 mark. At that point, Evans went to work, knocking down a pair of threes to keep USF close at 15-11 (14:04). After Green's jumper tied the game at 18 (11:39), NSU again took off on a run, this time using a 7-0 spurt for a 25-18 lead. USF's Evans hit another three as USF cut the NSU advantage to 27-26 (6:36). It would be the closest USF would get the rest of the night. The  Wolves answered with 15-0 straight points to push the lead to 42-26 (3:02) before take a 46-33 lead to halftime.  

USF opened the second half on a 9-4 run to crawl within 50-42 at the 17:28 mark. NSU responded with an 8-2 spurt to push lead back to 14 at 61-47 (14:58) and the Cougars drew no closer than 11 points (65-54, 13:30, 2nd) the rest of the way.

On Saturday, USF will conclude a four-game road swing with an NSIC match up at Minnesota State Moorhead.