Northern State held on for an 80-78 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over Minnesota Duluth on Saturday before 648 fans at Romano Gym.
The Bulldogs fell in heartbreaking fashion, with UMD senior guard Jordan Reetz being fouled while attempting a potential game-tying 3-pointer with two seconds remaining. Reetz made the first free throw but then missed the second and then intentionally missed the third in one final desperation attempt to get the ball back and tie the game.
Seth Bachand and Carter Evans had 13 points apiece to lead Northern State (14-6 overall, 9-5 NSIC), which had four players reach double figures in scoring. The Wolves shot 51 percent from the field while making 23 of 34 free throws compared to 30 of 36 for UMD.
Reetz had 25 points to lead the Bulldogs (7-11, 5-9), while teammate Reece Zoelle added 22 and senior Peter Crawford chipped in with 14.
