Sioux Falls, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball team picked up their third win in a row tonight. They defeated Northern State 82-76 in the Stewart Center.

The first half was very even between the Cougars and Wolves. Northern took a 34-33 lead into the halftime break. The Cougars struggled offensively shooting 39% from the field and 3-13 from 3-point range. The Wolves did not struggle as much shooting 45% from the field and 6-13 from behind the arc. The largest lead in the first half for either team was 8 from NSU.

In the second half the Cougar offense came to life. The Coo were over 50% from both the field and 3-point range shooting 51% from the field and going 5-10 on 3 point attempts. USF was also able to clamp down on the defensive end. NSU shot 46% from the field and went 4-12 from behind the arc. The Cougars had 32 points in the paint compared to 24 for Northern and the Cougars had 19 points off of Northern State turnovers. USF also went 14-20 from the free throw line in the 2nd half. The Coo also had 29 points off the bench, 13 second chance points, and won the rebounding battle 41-29.

LEADERS

Jack Thompson paced USF in scoring tonight with 25 points. Noah Puetz also had a good night scoring a season high 21 points and Kyle Ingwerson added 16 off the bench.  

The Cougars dominated on the glass with Puetz grabbing 10 boards which tied his career high. Josh Baker added a season high 8 rebounds as well and Zane Alm chipped in 6 of his own. 

Jack Thompson once again had a game high 6 assists. Puetz and Jack Cartwright each added 3 assists. Thompson played a season high 39 minutes to lead both teams and Puetz played a season high 36 minutes for the Coo.

UP NEXT

The Cougars will be back in action tomorrow. They will take on UMary at the Stewart Center starting at 5:30PM.