ABERDEEN, S.D. -- Trevon Evans scored 28 points and led four players in double digits but the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (15-8, 10-7 NSIC) dropped a har- fought 90-84 decision to Northern State (18-5, 14-3 NSIC) at the Barnett Center.

Despite the loss, USF, which fell to 10-7 in league play, remained third in the NSIC South. The Cougars stand one game behind Minnesota State at 11-6 for second place in the NSIC South. They are two games back of Wayne State at 12-5.

In a game with two of the league's stronger defensive units, the offenses came to play. The teams exchanged the lead 19 times with eight ties scores and both teams scored over their season averages.

In the opening half, both teams shot better than 50 percent and were efficient throughout the opening 20 minutes. USF, which hit 17-of-27 shots for 63 percent in the first half, was 15-of-32 in the second half for 47 percent as they finished 32-of-59 for 54.2 percent. For the first time this year, USF lost when they shot over 50 percent.

NSU, which trailed 44-40 at halftime, outscored USF, 50-40 in the second half as they retained their lead at the top of the NSIC North at 14-3 and 18-5 overall. The Wolves hit 31-of-55 shots for 56.4 percent for the game. In the second half, NSU made 17-of-30 shots for 56.7 percent after converting 56 percent in the opening half on 14-of-25 shooting.
With USF ahead 82-80 with 3:38 to play, the Wolves closed on a 10-2 run to edge past USF.

NSU used an 11-to-6 margin in points off turnovers and 14-8 margin in second chance points to earn the win. The Cougars had a 29-to-26 margin on the boards but were outscored 19-to-12 at the foul line and 9-to-8 from three-point range.

Leading USF was Evans, who hit 11-of-21 field goals and 4-of-10 from three-point range as he had 28 points and moved past 500 points (519) for the season in his second straight year at USF. He has 23 straight double-digit scoring games in 2018-19 and 27 dating to last year. The Wichita, Kan., senior guard has 14, 20-point games this season and 30 for his career with 49 career double-digit scoring games. Guebert provided 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field. Guebert has 21 double digit games this season and 88 for his career as he moved to 1,861 career points. USF also had double digit totals from Devin Green, who had 12 points and six rebounds and Aaron Rothermund, who had 10 points and knocked in 2-of-3 from three-point range.

NSU was led by 22 points from both Justin Decker and Ian Smith, who also had seven assists and five rebounds. Parker Fox had 15 points in 13 minutes off the bench.

Game Breakdown -
In the opening three minutes Evans had four points, Troy Houghton a triple and Green, two points, as opened up an 11-6 lead over NSU at the 16:36 mark of the first half. Later, Rothermund connected from three-point range as the Cougars had an 18-12 advantage (12:56). With back-to-back triples from Evans, USF took a 26-19 lead over NSU with 10 minutes left in the half.  Over the final 10 minutes, NSU outscored USF, 21-to-18, and trailed 44-40 at the break.

NSU opened the second half on a 13-5 run to take a 53-49 lead over USF after a three pointer from Smith. But after a USF timeout, the Cougars had a three-point play from Justin Taylor, who had five points and five rebounds on the night, to draw within 53-52. Then after NSU scored, Evans hits a jumper as to keep USF within 55-54. Guebert hit a pair of foul shots as USF retook the lead at 56-55. Two straight jumpers from Evans helped USF to a 60-57 edge at the 12:40 mark.

Later, Evans hit his fourth three of the game at the 9:13 mark as the Cougars regained a 65-64 lead. Again, NSU had the answer as Bo Fries, who had 13 points, answered with a three as the back and forth affair again changed hands with NSU up 67-65. But Evans had the answer back with a basket to tie the game at 67 with 8:51 to play.

At the 7:12 mark, Rothermund's three gave USF a 72-70 lead but once again NSU answer with a 5-2 run to tie the game at 75 on a jumper from Parker Fox. After NSU took an 80-76 lead on a three-point play by Ian Smith, Green hit a jumper and Evans converted two foul shots at the 4:09 mark to forge another tie. After an Evans steal, Green finished with a flush for an 82-80 lead at the 3:10 mark. Then NSU responded with a game-closing 10-2 run to grab the victory and the lead at the top of the NSIC North.

Next for USF will be a matchup with MSU Moorhead at 6 p.m., on Saturday afternoon at Nemzek Arena in Moorhead, Minn.