Box Score ABERDEEN, S.D. – Minot State University couldn't match Northern State's 3-point shooting.

The Wolves hit 11 3-pointers in the game and outscored MISU 46-33 in the second half to pull away for a 79-60 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball win Friday at the Aberdeen Civic Arena.

“We didn't play our best basketball tonight,” said MISU head coach Matt Murken. “Some of that was Northern State and some of that was us.”

The Beavers (10-15 overall, 9-12 NSIC) was kept at bay in the first half by NSU 3s as Northern State led by five at the break. Wolves' triples helped Northern State (18-10, 13-8) build their lead to 20-plus in the second half.

The loss clinches a No. 5 seed in the first round of the NSIC tournament for Minot State, which starts next week.

Minot State couldn't keep pace on offense as the Beavers shot just 36 percent from the floor and hit 7 of 22 3-pointers. The Beavers were outscored by 10 from the line as well.
 
“We came out a little over excited early and had some unforced turnovers,” Murken said. “They caught us a few times in our defensive rotation and made us pay.”

Skye Warwick did much of the damage for NSU from beyond the arc as he hit 5 of 9 triples on his way to 15 points, all off the bench. Collin Pryor added 16 points and eight rebounds for NSU and Jared Hannigan scored 11 points. The Wolves hit 55 percent in the second half and 44 percent overall.

“We beat them in hte paint, but, to their credit, they knocked in 11 3s,” said Murken “We need to refocus and play a more complete game tomorrow.”

E.J. Williams (Jr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) led the Beaver with 14 points and added three steals. Josh Johnson (Sr., F, Lufkin, Texas) added nine points and six rebounds, while Dominique McDonald (Fr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) scored eight points for Minot State.

The Beavers will look to rebound Saturday as they travel to Minnesota State Moorhead for the NSIC regular season finale.