WINONA, Minn. -- Northern State, S.D., won its opening game
Saturday but the University of South Dakota was eliminated in the
NCAA Division Two North Central Region men's basketball tournament
here.
Aaron Busack scored 25 points in leading Northern State past
Metro State of Denver 72-67.
Winona State topped USD 81-69 in overtime.
The win sends the Wolves (26-5) into Sunday's semifinals against
Fort Hays State of Kansas, which defeated St. Cloud State 69-54 in
the first round.
Busack and Matt Hammer each hit two free throws in the final 21
seconds to assure the win for Northern. Hammer finished with 17
points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Michael Bahl had 18 points, five rebounds and two steals for
Metro (21-10).
NSU used its inside game to offset the 12-of-23 3-point shooting
of Metro. NSU made 20 of 28 free throws. Busack was 11 of 13 in
free throws.
Dustin Little of USD hit a 3-point shot with six seconds left in
regulation to tie the score at 63 and force overtime.
Winona (27-4) took the lead in overtime on David Zellman's
3-pointer and never trailed. South Dakota missed two 3-point shots
and two layups during a 90-second stretch and trailed 75-67 after
two free throws by Winona's Quincy Henderson with 1:00 remaining.
John Smith scored 24 points and Zellman added 19 for Winona.
Turner Trofholz led USD (20-10) with 21 points. Jesse Becker
added 13 and Little had 12.