Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Two big factors happened to Minot State University Saturday that haven't happened all season.

The Beavers were outrebounded by an opponent and failed to make more free throws than their opponent for the first time in seven games to open the season.

The result was a 78-67 loss to Minnesota State-Moorhead in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball Saturday at the Minot State Dome.

"We got outrebounded and we are going to have a hard time being successful when that happens," said MISU head coach Matt Murken. "Plus we were outscored at the line so that makes for a tough combination to overcome. We just weren't locked in enough on either end of the court to end up being successful. The game just got ugly at times, I thought."

The Dragons (7-0 overall, 3-0 NSIC) outscored Minot State (5-2, 1-2) 22-15 from the line as the Beavers uncharacteristically shot just 55.6 percent on free throws and finished with a 33-28 rebounding advantage.

"We've got to forget about losing games the day before and come out ready to play and put a solid 40 minutes together," said MISU's Samuel Johnson (Sr., F, Las Vegas, Nev.), who led the Beavers with 15 points and nine rebounds. "We just need to play harder and better, simple as that."

Still, Minot State was in a decent spot to earn a split on the weekend as the Beavers carried a 37-35 lead into halftime and led by as many as three points multiple times in the second half, including 52-49 just before the halfway point on the second on free throws by Adam Randall (Jr., G, Steele, N.D.).

But the Dragons seized a 53-52 lead on a jumper by Aaron Lien with 11:11 to play and never relinquished it. It grew to double figures on a steady stream to the free throw line and a 3-pointer by Jordan Riewer with 1:41 to play in the game. MSU-M hit 18 free throws in the second half as Minot State was whistled for 18 fouls after halftime.

"I thought the first half we played fairly hard. We did quite play smart enough and we didn't execute well enough. We did a nice job of attacking the basketball in the second half which led to good opportunities," Murken said. "But in some of the stretches which we struggled, we just had too many empty possessions."

Prescott Williams led the Dragons with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Ngijol Songolo added 14 points and Tarell Clark 11 for MSU-M.

Along with Johnson, E.J. Williams (Sr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) reached double figures with 15 points and added five assists and four rebounds. Dominique McDonald (So., G, Raleigh, N.C.) added 11 points for Minot State.

The Beavers will look to regroup on the road, the first time away from the MSU Dome this season, as MISU plays at St. Cloud State Friday (8 p.m.) and Minnesota Duluth Saturday (6 p.m.).