ABERDEEN, SD -- Jack Thompson, Matt Cartwright and Chase Grinde all scored in double-digits but the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (8-7, 4-5 NSIC) dropped a 79-72 decision at Northern State (12-8, 6-6 NSIC) on Saturday, Jan. 15 on the road in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

The Cougars dropped to 4-5 in the NSIC and now sit 8-7 on the season. NSU improved to 6-6 in the league with a 12-8 overall record.

For the second straight game, USF was led in scoring by sophomore guard Jack Thompson, who had 21 points, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. He also had six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes on the floor. Thompson now has 29 career double-digit scoring games with his 10th 20-point game of his career. Cartwright recorded his 48^th double digit scoring game, including 11 at USF, by scoring 16 points, adding four rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Chase Grinde had his 43rd career double digit scoring game with 15 points, four rebounds. USF also had 11 rebounds from Austin Slater, who added five points and four assists. It is Slater's 10^th double-digit rebound game of his career.

USF, which had a 21-13 lead in the first half, had a one-point edge at halftime at 25-24 but NSU outscored, USF, 55-47 in the second half as both teams shot the ball extremely effectively. The key to the game was at the foul line where NSU had a 34-to-10 advantage even though USF had a 27-to-21 margin in field goals. NSU twice had margins of 10 points late in the second half as they picked up their 74^th win in the series.

After a four-game layoff due to COVID protocols, USF was a bit rusty in the field half as the Cougars hit just 29.7 percent from the field on 11-of-37 shooting. However, USF was much better in the second half and improved their game percentage significantly. USF finished 27-of-66 from the field for 40.9 percent, including 16-of-29 for 55.2 percent in the second half. The Cougars made 10-of-27 from three-point range for 37 percent and made 8-of-15 free throws for 43.3 percent. The Cougars, which had a 35-32 rebound edge, committed 30 fouls which led to NSU hitting on 34-of-41 free throws. The Wolves made 21-of-49 field goals for 42.9 percent but made just 3-of-18 from three-point range. Four players scored in double digits for NSU which included 28 points and five rebounds from Sam Masten. Jackson Moni added 16 points while Augustin Reede and Jordan Belka both had 13 points for the Wolves.

Scoring Summary –
In a low-scoring first half, USF was able to take a 25-24 lead at the break. The Cougars, which led by as many as eight points (21-13, 5:21), was led by Thompson with seven points and four rebounds. Slater had a game-high eight rebounds as USF had a 21-18 rebound advantage. A little rusty after a four-game lay-off, USF was just 11-of-37 for 29.7 percent and 3-of-13 from three-point range for 23.1 percent. NSU, which had 10 points from Jordan Belka, made 10-of-26 field goals for 38.5 percent but hit just 2-of-12 from three-point range.

Early on, USF grabbed an 8-2 lead when both Matt Cartwright (16:18) and Marko Coudreau (14:55) converted from three-point range.  NSU responded with five straight points including a three from Belka (13:38) to draw even at 10.  An offensive put back by Slater and a jumper from Thompson gave USF a 14-10 advantage at the 10-minute mark. Thompson followed with a three (9:29) as USF took a 17-11 advantage. Baskets by Luke Healy and Jake Kettner helped USF to a 21-13 lead at the 5:21 mark.  NSU answered with a 9-2 run to draw within, 23-22 before Grinde's jumper at the 1:35 mark gave USF a 25-22 lead.

After Masten hit a jumper to give NSU a lead in the second half, USF had baskets from Noah Puetz and Cartwright for a 32-28 advantage (16:53). With the offenses sparking up, USF took a 36-35 lead with 16 minutes to play on a three from Grinde.

After Grinde scored for the lead, Moni scored inside and with the "and 1" took a 43-39 lead at the 12:23 mark. Kettner's basket cut the lead to 43-41. At the 10:59 mark, Jackson Moni hit two foul shots for a 47-41 lead before Cartwright's jumper plus "and 1" helped US F pull within 47-44 – 10:51. But Moni answered with a three-point play to give NSU a 50-44 lead.

A jumper by Cartwright at 9:54 kept USF within 51-46. Then Cartwright hit a three as USF cut the lead to 51-49 at the 9:15 mark. However, that was as close as the Cougars would get. NSU responded with a 7-1 run for a 58-50 advantage. USF tried to rally and Thompson's three at 3:34 reduced to deficit to 60-58. Once again, NSU had the answer with four straight for a six-point lead and then proceeded to build the lead at the foul line as they led by as many as 10 points late in the second half.