SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Senior Tyler Rudolph scored 19 points and David Akibo and Nathaniel Moore each had 13 points, but Sioux Falls pulled away from Minot State in the second half on its way to an 80-59 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over the Beavers on Saturday in the Stewart Center.
 
Minot State, which dropped to 17-7 overall and 11-7 in the NSIC, fell behind by 13 points in the first half before rallying to get back into the game.
 
A three-pointer by Drew Guebert gave the Cougars a 33-20 lead with 5:42 remaining in the opening period before the Beavers staged a late first-period rally.
 
A jumper by Rudolph and a three-pointer by Russ Davis got Minot State to within 33-25 at the 3:37 mark of the opening period.
 
Devin Green answered with a tip-in to up the lead to 35-25, but a 7-0 run by Minot State to close the first half got the Beavers to within 35-32 at halftime.
 
Brandon Green started the run with a pair of free throws and Moore hit a jumper and converted a layup to cut the lead to 35-31. Dorian Aluyi capped the run with a free throw to bring Minot State to within three points at the intermission.
 
A three-point play by Rudolph early in the second half cut the Cougars lead to 37-36 with 18:17 remaining in the game.
 
Drew Maschoff responded with a three-pointer to up the lead to 40-36, but Akibo countered with a three-pointer to cut the margin to 40-39 with 16:22 to play.
 
The Cougars then used a 12-2 run to increase the margin to 52-41 at the 12:28 mark of the second period.
 
Minot State cut the lead to nine points on two occasions, but after a dunk by Teathloach Pal gave the Cougars a 56-45 lead with 9:25 to play the Beavers were unable to get the deficit under 10 points.
 
Sioux Falls, which improved to 16-8 overall and 11-7 in conference play, was led by Guebert who scored a game-high 25 points.
 
Minot State will continue on the road next weekend as it visits Minnesota Duluth on Friday (Feb. 9) and St. Cloud State on Saturday (Feb. 10).