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(NewsDakota.com)- Northern State head coach Paul Sather might not let his former assistant bring his new team back to the Barnett Center anytime soon as the Jimmies nearly upended the Wolves Tuesday night in Aberdeen. Jamestown coach Justin Wieck, who spent two seasons working for Sather as an assistant, had his team in position for the upset late but NSU held on for a 78-73 win.

“I was unexpectedly nervous when I walked into the gym up until tip-off,” coach Wieck said after the game. “Playing against guys you really love is never easy.”

The Jimmies grabbed an early 10-4 and was able to extend that lead to 36-24 right in front of halftime. Northern scored the last four of the half to make it 36-28 into the break.

Mark Hoge buried a three to open the half en route to a game-high 24 points, he shot 5-7 from the field in the second half. The Wolves chipped away and took back the lead at 53-51 for the first time since the games opening minutes.

NSU had a 74-70 advantage when Hoge banked in a runner and picked up the foul to pull the Jimmies within one. After a pair of free throws, Hoge’s game tying three point attempt sailed short of the rim in the final seconds.

The Jimmies will host Crossroads on Friday and then head to Mankato for another exhibition with No. 5 MSU-Mankato who is coming off a loss to Alaska-Anchorage.